Dakota Mathias is heading back overseas, and this time the former Purdue guard is taking his game to Australia.
Earlier this month, the Tasmania JackJumpers announced they signed Mathias to a one-year deal. The club competes in the NBL, Australia’s National Basketball League.
Mathias said in a statement, “I pride myself on making winning plays and doing whatever I can to help the team win,” Mathias said in a statement. “Having a high motor with the ability to move and shoot as well as making smart decisions is something I’m excited to show the elite fans in Tasmania.”
The move keeps Mathias in the professional game nearly 10 years after his Purdue career ended. He went undrafted in 2018, but has stayed in the mix across overseas leagues, the G League and the NBA.
Last season, Mathias played for the Noblesville Boom, the G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers. He also has experience with the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle, along with stops on international teams.
In nine games with the Boom, Mathias put up 21.9 points per game to go with 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Mathias is one more example of a Purdue player carving out a professional career after West Lafayette. Carsen Edwards, Trevion Williams, JaJuan Johnson and Chris Kramer have all built successful runs overseas during the Matt Painter era.
There have been plenty of other Purdue success stories at the next level, too. Carl Landry and E'Twaun Moore both went in the second round and logged long NBA careers under Painter. Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey were lottery picks in their draft classes.
More recently, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn were both selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, with Smith going to the Pacers and Kaufman-Renn landing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fletcher Loyer also signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, while Oscar Cluff was picked up by the Houston Rockets. Both are expected to play in the NBA Summer League.
From Australia to the G League to the NBA, Purdue has seen plenty of its former players keep moving up the ladder. Mathias is the latest Boilermaker to find another opportunity.
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