The “Red Mamba” Matt Bonner is an American former professional basketball player. He is a well-known retired player who has played for several teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Moreover, he’s the two times NBA champion with San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. Also, he was named AP honorable mention All-American for two consecutive years, 2002 and 2003.
Matt Bonner is further known for his determination, shielding ability, and versatility. Thus, he used to play the role of center and power forward position as a basketball player.
Find more informational facts and figures about the former professional basketball player, Matt Bonner.
But before that, glance at the briefly introduced quick facts right below.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Matthew Robert Bonner |
| Birth Date | April 5, 1980 |
| Birth Place | Concord, New Hampshire |
| Nick Name | Red Rocket / Red Mamba |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | American |
| Education |
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| Horoscope | Aries |
| Father’s Name | Dave Bonner |
| Mother’s Name | Paula Bonner |
| Siblings | Luke Bonner (brother) |
| Age | 42 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 10 inches |
| Weight | 107 Kilograms (235 lb) |
| Jersey no. | 16, 15 |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Profession | Former NBA Player |
| Professional Career Teams |
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| Draft Year | 2003 (Round: 2 / Pick: 45th overall) |
| Drafted By | Chicago Bulls |
| Active Years | 2003 – 2017 |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Nadia Bonner |
| Kids | Three (Two daughters and a son) |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
| Position | Center / Power forward |
| Social Media | Twitter, Instagram |
| Merch | Autographed Basketball Card |
| Last Update | July, 2022 |
Matt Boner: Basketball Career
Career in College
While a student at the University of Florida, Matt Bonner participated in men’s basketball for the Florida Gators, who were coached by Billy Donovan.
He was also named to the first team of the Southeastern Conference and received honorable mention All-American status from the Associated Press.
In addition, Bonner earned high honors and a 3.96 GPA while earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida.
Later, in 2002 and 2003, he was named the basketball player’s Academic All-American of the Year.
Italian Professional Career
The Chicago Bulls selected Matt Bonner with the 45th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. But even though he was later traded to the Toronto Raptors, they did not have a roster spot available at the time, so he was forced to play abroad.
Later, in Messina, Sicily, he signed with Sicilia Messina of the Italian League. Later, Sicilia Messina stopped paying its players and filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season.
While the majority of the other team members left, Bonner stayed and played for the Sicilia. Thus, in the 2003–2004 season, he averaged 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Sicilia.
Raptors of Toronto
In September 2004, Bonner agreed to a one-year deal with the Toronto Raptors. In addition, he participated in regular-season games in 2004-2005, scoring 7.2 points on average. He was the only rookie for the Raptors to play in all 82 games of the season as a result.
In August 2005, Bonner renewed his two-year deal with the Raptors.
Spurs San Antonio
On June 21, 2006, Bonner was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 11.7 minutes of playing time and 4.9 points per game in his first season with the San Antonio Spurs. In a similar manner, Bonner won the NBA title that year while playing for the Spurs.
Then, in July 2007, Bonner renewed his three-year deal with the Spurs. Against the Golden State Warriors in December 2007, he had a season-high 25 points and seven rebounds.
Against the Utah Jazz in December 2009, he averaged a career-high 28 points while adding eight rebounds.
Job Progression
In July 2010, Bonner once more agreed to a multi-year contract with the Spurs. He shot 45.7 percent from three-point range in 2010–11, which was the highest percentage in the NBA.
In addition, Bonner took part in All-Star Weekend’s 2013 NBA Three-Point Shootout. Then, he scored 19 points in the opening round, eliminating Ryan Anderson and Stephen Curry. As a result, he was unable to win the competition after losing to Kyrie Irving in the championship game 20–23.
With the San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner won his second NBA championship in June 2014 after the team overturned a 4-1 loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
On July 15, 2015, Bonner re-signed with Spurs. He announced his retirement on January 6, 2017, after playing for the Spurs for eleven seasons.
Awards & Achievements
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Two times NBA champion (2007, 2014)
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AP honorable mention All-American for two consecutive years (2002, 2003)
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Academic All-American for two consecutive years (2002, 2003)
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Fourth team Parade All American (1999)
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First-team All-SEC (2003)
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Second-team All SEC (2002)
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Third-team All SEC (2001)
When I Retire
Bonner ended his basketball career after spending the majority of his professional playing career with the San Antonio Spurs.
He then started working as a studio analyst for the San Antonio Spurs TV broadcast.
Early Life, Family, and Education with Matt Bonner
The 6’10” Red Rocket was born in Concord, New Hampshire, on April 5, 1980. Matthew Robert Bonner is his full birth name, but most people know him as Matt Bonner.
He is also a member of the North American ethnicity and has American citizenship.
He is also one of Paula Bonner and Dave Bonner’s two sons. Luke Bonner, his younger brother, is a blessing. As a result, since they were young, both brothers developed a strong interest in basketball games.
Luke, his brother, still plays basketball with a lot of passion; he was a professional player for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League.
Education
In Concord, New Hampshire, where he attended Concord High School, Bonner helped the team win three state championships.
In addition, he graduated first in his class and had the best grade point average. He attended Florida University from 1999 to 2003 after graduating from high school.
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Who is the wife of Matt Bonner?
Regarding his standing in relationships, Matt Bonner wed Nadia Bonner in 2008. In addition, Luke, a groomsman, delivered the opening speech at the wedding.
On June 21, 2009, the couple gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl named Evangeline-Vesper Lynne Bonner, and on August 27, 2012, they welcomed a cuddly son named August Bonner.
Consequently, the Bonner family kept expanding. The day before the Bonners’ anniversary in August 2018, the couple gave birth to their third girl.
Furthermore, unlike his career path, his personal life is not in the spotlight; perhaps this is because he has avoided the sensationalist media.
Tiny House of Matt Bonner
Matt Bonner has made the decision to try living small for a while. He reportedly received a 276-square-foot tiny house with excellent exterior and interior features from the TV program “Tiny House Nation.”
Then, in March 2016, Bonner, his wife Nadia, and their two kids moved in. He still had a house in Meredith and one in San Antonio, Texas.
Why He Uses His Nickname
Red Rocket or Red Mamba was a well-known moniker for the tenacious former power forward. In addition, he frequently used the Toronto Transit Commission’s catchphrase, “Ride the Rocket,” which is associated with the city of Toronto, earning him the moniker “Red Rocket.”
Furthermore, Matt Bonner was given the moniker “Red Mamba” by the late professional basketball player Kobe Bryant.
While live-tweeting during the 2013 onboard replay of his 81-point performance against Bonner and the Toronto Raptors, Bryant gave his Twitter handle its first name.
Pay, Endorsement, and Asset Value
Matt Bonner, a former star basketball player, has a $12 million net worth.
Likewise, his projected salary with the San Antonio Spurs for the 2015–16 season was $1,499,187. His salary with the Spurs in the 2014–15 season was $1,448,490.
Similarly, his pay with the Toronto Raptors in 2005–2006 was $2,000,000. In addition, the Raptors’ 2004–05 starting salary was $385,277.
In January 2014, he also agreed to a deal with Adidas for basketball shoes.
Prior to that, he was under contract with the American brand of athletic shoes, New Balance.
The Matt Bonner Official Store | PWRFW
Additionally, the official Matt Bonner store offers a variety of product categories, including custom shirts, clothing, sweatshirts, accessories, and much more. He also has an assortment of Sportscards.
Through their custom-made goods, the shop hopes to engage fans on a deeper level. As a result, he makes a good living as a businessman to supplement his income.
Height, weight, and age
On April 5, 1980, the magnificent power forward was born. As a result, he is 42 years old as of his birth date. Similar to this, he is only slightly taller than average, standing at 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m), and his body weighs about 235 lb (107 kg).
His eyes are blue and his hair is brown, and he looks like a man. Additionally, he is an Aries.
Additionally, a sizable portion of NBA players at the time were overshadowed by his ideal physique and height. Luke, his younger brother, is taller than Matt (6’10”), standing at 7’1″.
Instagram presence
Bonner, a former capable power forward, is a frequent user of social media, particularly Twitter and Instagram.
Additionally, he creates respectable posts and content, such as inquiries on Twitter and Instagram about his son’s assignment.
He was also regarded as a family man. His uploaded photos with loving captions on them attest to his inclusive tenderness toward his parents, wife, and all three of his children.
Find him using the username and link provided below to stay up to date on his daily activities.
- Instagram: @mattbonner_15
- Twitter: @mattbonner_15
Facts & Trivia
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Bonner was a teammate with legendary power forward Tim Duncan on the San Antonio Spurs in 2006.
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He is an extensive sandwich lover. Thus, his enthusiasm over a sandwich was so much that he has a blog titled “The Sandwich Hunter: The Quest for the Hoagie Grail.”
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He is a fan of the sport curling.
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Bonner was featured on the season premiere episode of FYI’s Tiny House Nation.
Rock On Foundation
Matt Bonner and his brother Luke established a non-profit organization, Rock On Foundation, which supports community activities based on artwork and sports.
The foundation is set to be the community’s helping hand; it was begun in early 2013. Furthermore, it attends to increase community artistic as well as athletic opportunities.
Additionally, it contributes financial support for underprivileged youth enthusiastic in art and music and helps to heed life skills basketball camps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long did Matt Bonner play in the NBA?
The former sharpshooter Matt Bonner spent over 12 seasons in the NBA, where he spent most of the stint with the San Antonio Spurs.
Did Matt Boner apply for Canadian citizenship?
Yes, he did but could not qualify as he resided most of the time outside the country.
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