Age: 20
Years Pro: 1
Status: Entering second year of rookie contract
Key Stats: Averaged 16.7 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 32.3 percent from 3-point range, 82.8 percent from the free throw line. Season totals: 1,302 points, 100 made 3-pointers, 376 made free throws, 454 free throw attempts.
Greatness isn’t just a goal for Bennedict Mathurin, it’s an expectation.
Months before the opening tip of the 2022-2023 season, the University of Arizona wing offered a head-turning, pre-draft proclamation.
When asked his thoughts about playing against the world's best, the All-American offered a candid response.
“I don’t think anybody is better than me,” Mathurin said.
While the statement may have come off cocky to some, the Canadian wasn’t joking: he believes he can evolve into one of the greatest two-way players in the world, and help elevate the Indiana Pacers franchise back to the top of the Eastern Conference.
The 20-year-old was quick to clarify that his comments were about his own self-confidence and excitement for the season and not a slight at any other players.
But he didn’t retract his words.
Mathurin’s unabashed self-confidence, elite athleticism and lethal offensive toolbox lent itself to one of the most memorable rookie seasons in Pacers history.
GALLERY: Bennedict Mathurin's 2022-23 Season in Photos >>
In his first professional season, Mathurin broke numerous Pacers franchise rookie records, took home an Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Award, was named a 2023 NBA Rising Star, and received two votes for Sixth Man of the Year. For a majority of the season, he was also considered one of the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year AND Sixth Man of the Year awards.
When the All-Rookie awards are announced, Mathurin is expected to land on one of the teams. If Mathurin makes the first team, he will be just the fifth Pacer ever to do it and first since Rik Smits in 1989. If he makes the second team, he will be the sixth to go on that list.
Taking Mathurin with the No. 6 overall pick last June – the highest for the Pacers since Smits (No. 2) – the Pacers knew they were getting a player who could provide a spark immediately on the offensive end of the court.
At Arizona, Mathurin showed his advanced ability to knock down jump shots in a variety of ways in helping his team to the Sweet 16.
It didn’t take long for the Pacers to see his potential in person, as Mathurin flexed his skills right away in the Blue & Gold by making the All-NBA Summer League Second Team by averaging 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
By the time the regular season came around, it was apparent Mathurin would compete for major minutes. While he played most of the season at the shooting guard position, Mathurin, who is 6-foot-6, also played minutes at the three.
While some highly drafted rookies started for their teams right away, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle decided to have Mathurin come off the bench. The result? Mathurin finished second in individual bench points (1,028 points, 61 games off bench) behind just Sacramento’s Malik Monk (1,041 points in 77 games as a reserve).
Mathurin scored 19 points in 28 minutes against the Washington Wizards in the season opener and followed up with 26 points in game two and 27 in game three.
On Oct. 26, he became the fastest Pacer to reach 100 or more points in the first five games of their career. The strong start continued on Oct. 29, when he set his career high by scoring 32 points against the Brooklyn Nets on the road.
Mathurin was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Dec. 1 for averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 40.3 percent 3-point shooting.
Carlisle gave fans an insider’s view on Mathurin’s development early in the season, sharing how the young player is a “sponge” who diligently studies film in an effort to make the team better.
Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton echoed Carlisle.
“He’s the only guy I’ve ever seen watch a film with the head coach in the back of the plane,” Haliburton said. “... He goes back there with coach and watches his film after games, good or bad. And that just shows he’s hungry, wants to get after it. You don’t see guys in the NBA do that.”
At the halfway point of the campaign, the Pacers had a 23-18 record and were in contention for a playoff spot. Mathurin’s play was highlighted individually when he was named to the NBA Rising Stars game.
Mathurin had his ups and downs the remainder of his rookie campaign, but he used those opportunities to grow, especially on the defensive end of the floor where he said he hopes to become elite.
Once the Pacers fell out of playoff or play-in tournament contention, Mathurin was moved into the starting lineup for the last 10 games of the season.
Despite an ankle injury towards the middle of the season, Mathurin ended up playing in 78 games and starting in 17 of them. He finished second in rookie scoring average at 16.7 points and first in free throw makes per game (4.8) and fourth in rebounds (4.1) among first-year players.
The crafty scorer, who dropped 20 or more points 27 times and scored in double digits in 64 games, shot 43.4 percent overall, 32.3 percent from 3-point range, and 82.8 percent from the free throw line.
The final numbers for Mathurin ranked among the best all-time for a Pacers rookies, including first in free throws made (376), free throw attempts (454) and 100 3-pointers made (1st), and third in total points (1,302).
Opposing coaches also praised Mathurin numerous times throughout the season, with some like Philadelphia 76ers skipper Doc Rivers saying Mathurin “is going to be special.”
As the Pacers hoped last summer, Mathurin has become one of the building blocks and young faces of the future of the Pacers’ franchise.
“I’ve always been hard on myself and I feel like I didn't really accomplish what I wanted to do, but that's the really good thing about it,” Mathurin said. “Just to have that chip on my shoulder going into the summer and wanting to work twice as hard as I did last summer and become a better player in general. That's a good thing to have.”
Bennedict Mathurin 2023 Exit Interview
2023 Pacers.com Player Review Schedule
April 17: Tyrese Haliburton
April 18: Myles Turner
April 19: Andrew Nembhard
April 20: Jordan Nwora
April 21: Aaron Nesmith
April 22: Isaiah Jackson
April 23: James Johnson
April 24: Bennedict Mathurin
April 25: T.J. McConnell
April 26: Oshae Brissett
April 27: Chris Duarte
April 28: Jalen Smith
April 29: Gabe York
April 30: Kendall Brown
May 1: George Hill
May 2: Daniel Theis
May 3: Buddy Hield