Matt Santangelo (Class of 2000) was the starting point guard for Gonzaga basketball from 1997-2000. Touted as the highest ranked recruit at the time, Matt led the Zags onto the national scene with a run to the 1999 NCAA Elite Eight
Matt Santangelo (Class of 2000) was the starting point guard for Gonzaga basketball from 1997-2000. Touted as the highest ranked recruit at the time, Matt lead the Zags onto the national scene with a run to the 1999 NCAA Elite Eight. They followed the Cinderella season with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2000. Those historic seasons were the start of the greatest story in college basketball.
Matt is currently at the forefront of one of the most significant changes to the college sports landscape in history, the advent of NIL, Name, Image and Licensing as the Director of Athlete Engagements for Zags Collective.
Matt graduated from Gonzaga as number 3 all-time scoring leader, and number 1 all-time assist leader. He remains in the top 10 in both categories. During his time at GU, he was recognized as All-Conference multiple years, honorable mention All-American and won a gold medal on the 22-under Team USA national team. Following GU, Matt played professionally throughout Europe for the better part of 7 seasons being named to the All-Rookie Team in the Spanish ACB league and winning an Italian Serie A Championship in 2006.
Most recently, Matt was the Executive Director of the world’s largest 3on3 basketball tournament, Hoopfest. He lives in Spokane, WA with his wife and their 3 children.