Matt Steigenga
Encyclopedia
Matthew "Matt" Todd Steigenga (born March 27, 1970 in Grand Rapids, Michigan
) is a retired American
professional basketball
player. He was a 6'7", 220-40 lbs. power forward
who most notably played a part of one season with the Chicago Bulls
and a season in the Liga ACB.
's Punt, Pass, and Kick
for youths at age nine.
, leading them to the 1988 Michigan Class B title while being named Mr. Basketball of Michigan
. In the year's McDonald's All American All-star game, Steigenga won the slam dunk contest.
As a collegian
, Steigenga started his final three years at Michigan State University
, averaging 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds
per game in his four years. He finished the Spartans 11th all-time leading scorer and currently stands 17th with 1296 career points, and was also the school's leading career shot blocker with 97 until 2008, when Drew Naymick
surpassed this total. The Jud Heathcote
-coached Spartans in 1990 won Big Ten
championship and reached the NCAA tournament
sweet 16.
A second round pick of the Chicago Bulls
in the 1992 NBA Draft
(52nd overall), Steigenga was signed late in the 1996-97 season when the Bulls needed to fill an injury-depleted roster. He appeared in two games playing a total of 12 minutes and scoring three points. Athletic, he scored his only field goal aptly enough on an alley oop
dunk, against the Toronto Raptors
at the United Center
.
Steigenga would again sign with the Bulls in January 1999, but was put on waivers a few weeks later, without appearing in any games. Despite playing so little, Steigenga was awarded an NBA championship ring as the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan
and Scottie Pippen
, won the 1997 NBA Championship
.
Additionally, Steigenga played the 1995-96 pre-season with the Atlanta Hawks
, but failed to make the regular season roster. From 1992-2000, the Bulls notwithstanding, he represented the CBA
's Grand Rapids Hoops
(1992–93), Rochester Renegade (1993), Quad City Thunder
(1996–98) and Rockford Lightning
(1998–2000), also playing abroad in Spain
(Taugrés
, 1993) and Japan
(Mitsubishi Electric Melco Dolphins, 1995–96).
At the international level, Steigenga was on the silver-medalist 1999 Pan American Games
US team. He was also a member of NBA Ambassador teams who played in league championships in South America
during the summer of 1999, and China
the following summer.
business since retiring from the pros, also being a member of USA Basketball
's Officials Committee.
He is also a radio analyst for Michigan State basketball on the Spartan Sports Network.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was a 6'7", 220-40 lbs. power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
who most notably played a part of one season with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
and a season in the Liga ACB.
Early life
Steigenga showed athletic ability at an early age, winning the National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Punt, Pass, and Kick
Punt, Pass, and Kick
Punt, pass and kick is a skills competition offered by the National Football League and designed for youths aged 6 to 15.- Overview :PP&K began in 1961 and at one time, event highlights were shown by CBS Sports as part of its NFL coverage...
for youths at age nine.
Basketball career
As a high schooler, Steigenga had starred for South Christian High SchoolSouth Christian High School
South Christian High School is a private Christian high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It offers classes from the 9th through 12th grade. SCHS is affiliated with Byron Center Christian School, Dutton Christian School, Legacy Christian School, and Moline Christian School, all of which provide...
, leading them to the 1988 Michigan Class B title while being named Mr. Basketball of Michigan
Mr. Basketball of Michigan
Each year the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball award is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys basketball player in the U.S. state of Michigan...
. In the year's McDonald's All American All-star game, Steigenga won the slam dunk contest.
As a collegian
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
, Steigenga started his final three years at Michigan State University
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
, averaging 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
per game in his four years. He finished the Spartans 11th all-time leading scorer and currently stands 17th with 1296 career points, and was also the school's leading career shot blocker with 97 until 2008, when Drew Naymick
Drew Naymick
Drew Naymick is an American professional basketball player with the ČEZ Nymburk of the Czech basketball league. He played collegiately at Michigan State...
surpassed this total. The Jud Heathcote
Jud Heathcote
George Melvin "Jud" Heathcote is a former college basketball coach. He was a head coach for 24 seasons at the collegiate level: five at Montana and 19 at Michigan State...
-coached Spartans in 1990 won Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship and reached the NCAA tournament
1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 1990, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in Denver, Colorado...
sweet 16.
A second round pick of the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the 1992 NBA Draft
1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
(52nd overall), Steigenga was signed late in the 1996-97 season when the Bulls needed to fill an injury-depleted roster. He appeared in two games playing a total of 12 minutes and scoring three points. Athletic, he scored his only field goal aptly enough on an alley oop
Alley oop (basketball)
An alley-oop in basketball is an offensive play in which one player throws the ball near the basket to a teammate who jumps, catches the ball in mid air and immediately scores a basket, usually with a slam dunk...
dunk, against the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
at the United Center
United Center
The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in Chicago. It is named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League...
.
Steigenga would again sign with the Bulls in January 1999, but was put on waivers a few weeks later, without appearing in any games. Despite playing so little, Steigenga was awarded an NBA championship ring as the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
, won the 1997 NBA Championship
1997 NBA Finals
The 1997 NBA Finals was the concluding series of the 1997 NBA Playoffs that determined the champion of the 1996–97 NBA season. The Utah Jazz of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference for the title, with the Bulls holding home court advantage...
.
Additionally, Steigenga played the 1995-96 pre-season with the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, but failed to make the regular season roster. From 1992-2000, the Bulls notwithstanding, he represented the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
's Grand Rapids Hoops
Grand Rapids Hoops
The Grand Rapids Hoops was a basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their first season was in 1989, and their final season was in 2003...
(1992–93), Rochester Renegade (1993), Quad City Thunder
Quad City Thunder
The Quad City Thunder are a defunct professional basketball team that was based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. They played in the Continental Basketball Association from the 1987-1988 season until the league folded in 2001. The teams was CBA champions in the 1993-1994 and 1997-1998...
(1996–98) and Rockford Lightning
Rockford Lightning
The Rockford Lightning were a basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association. They were based in Rockford, Illinois. The Lightning were the oldest team in the CBA, originally existing as the Lancaster Red Roses from Lancaster, Pennsylvania...
(1998–2000), also playing abroad in Spain
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
(Taugrés
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
, 1993) and Japan
Japan Basketball League
The Japan Basketball League is a professional basketball league in Japan. It lies below the bj league, which is Japan's top basketball competition, but there is no promotion and relegation between bj and the JBL....
(Mitsubishi Electric Melco Dolphins, 1995–96).
At the international level, Steigenga was on the silver-medalist 1999 Pan American Games
1999 Pan American Games
The 1999 Pan American Games, officially the XIII Pan American Games or the 13th Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event that was held from July 23-August 8, 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Approximately 5,000 athletes from 42 nations participated at the games. The 1999...
US team. He was also a member of NBA Ambassador teams who played in league championships in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
during the summer of 1999, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
the following summer.
Post-retirement
Steigenga worked in the real estateReal estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business since retiring from the pros, also being a member of USA Basketball
USA Basketball
USA Basketball is a non-profit organization and the governing body for basketball in the United States. The organization represents the United States in FIBA and the men's and women's national basketball teams in the United States Olympic Committee...
's Officials Committee.
He is also a radio analyst for Michigan State basketball on the Spartan Sports Network.