Hi Brian,
For your SQL DISTINCT challenge, consider adding a custom form to all your users with a calculated numeric field called "Report Count", with a formula of "1". Create an assignment matrix report, with Project Name, Assigned To Name, and the Assigned To's Report Count to the view, and specify "Min" as an aggregator (ensuring 1 comes back). Group veritcally by Project, and Horizontally by Assigned To Name to collapse to a grid of Projects vs Assignees, with a 1 where they intersect. Turn on totals, and the DISTINCT value you seek will be at the far right of each row. Chart it as a stacked bar to see it graphically.
Regards,
Doug