Garrison Mathews recently reflected on his athletic roots, revealing how an untimely football injury altered his path toward becoming a basketball shooter. Long before establishing himself on the hardwood, the guard harbored deep ambitions on the gridiron, fueled by family history and high school standout seasons in Tennessee.
Gridiron Roots and Family Legacy in Mississippi
Growing up, American football reigned supreme for Mathews. His athletic pedigree traces directly to his maternal grandfather, Frank Kimbrell, a former offensive lineman who anchored the undefeated 1962 Ole Miss University squad. That legendary college team famously crosses the brick Walk of Champions—adorned with the names of its championship roster—roughly two hours before every home game in Oxford, Mississippi.
According to coverage by Eurocourt, Mathews spent his childhood attending games alongside his grandfather, absorbing a fierce competitive tenacity that later shaped his sports career. At Franklin High School in Tennessee, football served as his primary arena. Operating primarily as a wide receiver, he relied on speed, physicality, and ball-tracking ability to rack up yardage.
“I always loved American football,” Mathews recalled, as reported by Eurocourt. “It was my favorite sport as a boy. My grandfather had a huge influence on me.”
The High School Turning Point
Basketball occupied a secondary position in his athletic priorities during his early years. While he occasionally participated in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuits, Mathews admits he did not view himself as a high-level prospect on the court. That dynamic shifted dramatically during his junior year of high school.
A hard-fought football play resulted in a broken collarbone, prematurely ending his junior season on the gridiron. While minor college interest trickled in from football coaches aware of his raw potential, the injury forced a fundamental rethink. By then, Mathews had begun attracting modest attention from smaller collegiate basketball programs offering scholarship opportunities.
Facing a crossroads, he pivoted entirely to the hardwood. Programs such as Austin Peay State, UMass-Lowell, and South Carolina Upstate extended basketball offers, but Mathews ultimately chose Lipscomb University located in Nashville, Tennessee.
At a Glance: Garrison Mathews’ Collegiate Path
- High School Sport: Wide receiver at Franklin High School (Tennessee)
- Collegiate Destination: Lipscomb University (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Conference: Atlantic Sun Conference (NCAA Division I)
- Milestone: Fourth-leading scorer in school history, and the program’s top scorer in the NCAA Division I era
Developing into an Elite Shooter at Lipscomb
Choosing Lipscomb kept Mathews close to home in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville. When he first arrived on campus, his frame still carried the physical bulk and habits of a football player. However, rigorous physical conditioning under the coaching staff helped him shed excess weight, allowing him to refine his shooting mechanics and perimeter game.
According to historical records from the program, Mathews experienced a breakout surge between his freshman and sophomore years. Under the guidance of head coach Casey Alexander, the Bisons evolved into a conference powerhouse. In his junior campaign, Lipscomb secured an Atlantic Sun Conference title and earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament, squaring off against powerhouse North Carolina in the opening round.
“Playing at Lipscomb was decisive for my career,” Mathews noted in the Eurocourt report, highlighting the continuity of spending four years alongside a tight-knit core of teammates. “That physical sport is what I attribute my competitive spirit and tenacity to. I think it also helped me progress in basketball.”
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