Bennedict Mathurin Bio
Bennedict Richard Felder Mathurin is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on June 19, 2002, in Montreal, Quebec, he played college basketball at the University of Arizona and was recognized as a consensus second-team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year. Mathurin was selected as the sixth overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2022 NBA draft, making history as the first player from Montreal to be selected in the lottery. He received NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2023 and has made a significant impact as a scoring guard in the league.
Early Life and Background
Bennedict Mathurin was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, where he initially engaged in ice hockey and Canadian football, playing as a quarterback. His journey into basketball began with competing for the Quebec provincial basketball team. In 2018, he joined the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City, becoming the first Canadian-born player to do so. Mathurin’s talent was evident early on, and he was considered the best Canadian prospect in his class by North Pole Hoops. He later committed to playing college basketball for the University of Arizona, choosing the Wildcats over other programs, including Baylor.
Path to Basketball
Mathurin’s college career at the University of Arizona began in the 2020-2021 season, where he quickly made a name for himself. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game during his freshman year. Despite interest from the NBA, he returned for his sophomore season, where he excelled further. In December 2021, Mathurin scored 30 points in a significant win against Illinois and was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2022. Following his successful college career, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining eligibility.
Bennedict Mathurin Career
Early Career (2022)
Bennedict Mathurin was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2022 NBA draft, marking a historic moment as he became the first player from Montreal to be chosen as a lottery pick. He signed his rookie contract with the Pacers on July 3, 2022, and made his NBA Summer League debut shortly after, scoring 23 points in a win against the Charlotte Hornets. His performance in the Summer League earned him a spot on the All-NBA Summer League Second Team, where he averaged 19.3 points per game.
Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Mathurin made his regular season debut on October 19, 2022, scoring 19 points against the Washington Wizards. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Pacers, scoring 72 points in his first three games, the most by a rookie since Jerry Stackhouse in 1995. His remarkable start included a career-high 32 points against the Brooklyn Nets and recognition as Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December 2022. By the end of the season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mathurin’s signature work includes his impressive rookie season, where he set multiple franchise records for the Pacers. He became the fastest rookie to reach 1,000 career points and made a significant impact in his first playoff appearance.
Bennedict Mathurin Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Bennedict Mathurin has received several nominations, including recognition for his outstanding performance during his rookie season.
Bennedict Mathurin Awards Won
Bennedict Mathurin has achieved notable awards, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023 and winning the NBA Rising Stars Challenge MVP in 2024. He was also recognized as the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2022 and earned consensus second-team All-America honors.
Bennedict Mathurin Family
Bennedict Mathurin is of Haitian descent and has an older sister, Jennifer, who played college basketball for North Carolina State University. Tragically, Mathurin lost his older brother in a bicycle accident when he was just 12 years old.
Personal Life
Mathurin speaks multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. His diverse background and experiences have shaped his character both on and off the court.
