Matthew Craft

There is always an interesting result with sports teams when you hold open tryouts. That is true for the Cedar Valley CourtKings, the new minor league basketball team in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, which will play its inaugural season in the new Midwest Basketball League. Matt Craft, a 37-year-old lawyer in Waterloo, showed up for the first open tryout in January. He played well enough that the team invited him back for a second look at tryout number two. After the 3rd and final open tryout, the CourtKings extended a player agreement contract to Craft. Matt played his high school basketball at Union High School in LaPorte City and then went to Iowa State and went through the walk on tryouts. “The players all have different goals and reasons for wanting to play for a team like this and Matt is no different. He just wants to be part of this new team and help us in anyway he can whether it is at practice, at home games or filling in on a road trip if needed.” said owner/GM Gary Rima. “He is like a player/coach for us, and I am excited to have Matt be part of this organization.” The Cedar Valley CourtKings open up the season Saturday, April 23 in Chicago against the Chicago Clovers. The Clovers have replaced Sioux City in the MBL for the inaugural season. The CourtKings will play their home opener on Sunday, May 15, hosting the Minnesota Broncos from St. Paul.