ARIZONA BASKETBALL
Former Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin picked 6th by Indiana Pacers
Jun 23, 2022, 5:39 PM | Updated: 8:22 pm
Guard Bennedict Mathurin #0 of the Arizona Wildcats smiles on the sidelines during the game against the Oregon State Beavers at McKale Center on February 17, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Former Arizona Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
He joins a retooling roster that at the moment includes perimeter players Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte and Buddy Hield.
Mathurin, who also joins fellow Arizona product T.J. McConnell on the Pacers, was a force to be reckoned with during his time in a Wildcat uniform.
The 6-foot-6 guard out of Montreal, Canada, averaged 14.8 points, 2 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in his two seasons with the Wildcats.
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Mathurin was named a consensus Second Team All-American and the Pac-12 Player of the Year last year as a sophomore, averaging 17.7 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
He also had multiple breakout performances during the Wildcats’ run to the Sweet 16. This included a 27-point game against UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship game.
Mathurin was also exceptional in the round of 32 against TCU in which he put up a game-high 30 points, leading Arizona to an overtime victory.
Mathurin has seen his draft stock rise throughout the process due to his impressive individual workouts with various teams and interviews.
As a hybrid guard and forward with a lethal jumper, Mathurin has the chance to make an immediate impact on the Pacers.
With Mathurin drafted, fellow Wildcats Dalen Terry and Christian Koloko wait to hear their names called.
