CHICAGO — After taking time off from basketball for the past 10 months, Matthew Wright is resuming his basketball career.
“I’m back,” the 6-foot-4, 200-lb guard told me via text message on Tuesday.
After leaving the Land of the Rising Sun ahead of the 2025-26 season, Wright is returning to the Japan B.League where he just inked a one-year deal with the Saitama Broncos.
READ Matthew Wright says SEA Games gold in Thailand is 'best one' yet
The Fil-Canadian from Toronto played for the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA from 2016 to 2022 before taking his act to the Kyoto Hannaryz and the Kawasaki Brave Thunders.
Upon his departure in September 2025, the St. Bonaventure alum had just finished a stellar season where he averaged 10.4 points and 2.6 assists per in a key contributing role.
But instead of angling for a newer, fatter deal, Wright put family first and assumed the primary caregiving role for his ailing mother, Ofelia Agustin.
FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY.
Having lived in Canada for 50 years, Matthew’s mom yearned to come home to Tarlac where she ultimately passed on.
Wish granted, thanks to a dutiful, loving son.
While his Japan return is already set, he isn’t going there anytime soon as Wright is scheduled to compete in an upcoming tournament.
After that, it’s all systems go.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
