AJ Matthews averaged 22.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots per game this past season. Farmingdale State athletics photo

Farmingdale State star AJ Matthews has been signed to the New York Knicks' summer league team. Matthews will try to earn his spot on the roster during the NBA Summer League, which starts July 12 in Las Vegas.

No Division III player has appeared in the NBA since former Augsburg star Devean George's 11-year career ended in 2010. A first-round selection by the Lakers in 1999, George was the last D-III player drafted as well.

Before landing at Farmingdale State, Matthews starred at Monroe, then Broward Community College for a year, where he was named the All-Southern Conference Player of the Year. With the Rams for two seasons under coach Erik Smiles (now at LIU Post), Matthews was a two-time All-American, three-time Skyline Conference Player of the Year and led Division III in rebounding and double-doubles in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.

In two years, he amassed 1,169 points (22.5 points per game), 806 rebounds (15.5 per game) and 171 blocks with a .585 field-goal percentage. He holds 12 single-season records, six career records and two single-game records at FSC.

During this past season, Matthews was named a D3hoops.com preseason All-American and a first-team postseason All-American. He had multiple NBA scouts at the games and calls were constantling coming in from NBA teams for game tapes, etc. Matthews has been traveling for the past few months, working out for teams such as the Knicks, Nets and Bucks.

Athletic director Mike Harrington stated, "We are so excited to hear the news and for AJ to receive this opportunity from the Knicks. He is a talented player and we enjoyed watching him the past two years. The entire athletic department wishes him the best of luck!"