League Mozambican League Role Basketball Player Nationality Mozambican Height 1.83 m | Listed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Position Point guard Name Pio Matos | |
Born November 29, 1990 (age 33)
Nicoadala, Mozambique ( 1990-11-29 ) | ||
Pio da Silva Matos, Jr. (born November 29, 1990) is a Mozambican professional basketball player who currently plays for Desportivo de Maputo of the Mozambican Division I Basketball League.
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Professional career
Matos was named Most Valuable Player of the 2015 Mozambican League Finals after scoring 23 points for Desportivo de Maputo in the deciding game. His team was considered the heavy underdog against Ferroviário de Maputo. It was the first time Desportivo won the league title in 12 years.
International career
Matos has represented Mozambique internationally on multiple occasions. He made his debut with the national team at the qualifying rounds of the 2008 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship, in which he averaged 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. Matos debuted with the senior team at the 2011 AfroBasket, averaging 2.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. He was more effective in 2013, after which he averaged 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Shortly after helping Desportivo de Maputo win the Mozambican League Finals as the underdogs, Matos was named to the 22-man preliminary squad for the AfroBasket 2015 by head coach Iñaki García. Matos said, "We [as a team] are experienced enough to become more ambitious now. There is no harm in aiming higher goals at AfroBasket."
Personal
Pio is the twin brother of Augusto, who also plays professional basketball. The duo have competed together for Mozambique at multiple different international events. The twins' older brother, Amarildo, played for Mozambique with both his siblings at the AfroBasket 2011. They reunited when they were named to the preliminary squad for the AfroBasket 2015. All three currently compete for the club team Desportivo de Maputo.