Bennedict Mathurin
Bennedict Mathurin is a Canadian professional basketball player who serves as a shooting guard for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1][2] Born on June 19, 2002, in Montreal, Quebec, Mathurin holds dual Canadian and Haitian nationality and grew up honing his skills in basketball academies before committing to the University of Arizona.[3][4] During his two collegiate seasons with the Arizona Wildcats from 2020 to 2022, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, earning recognition as the Pac-12 Player of the Year and Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore in 2021–22, along with Second-Team All-American honors.[5][6] He was also named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in his debut year.[7] Selected sixth overall by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft, Mathurin quickly established himself as a key offensive contributor, averaging 16.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across 211 regular-season games through the 2024–25 season.[8][9] In his rookie year of 2022–23, he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, and set the Pacers' single-season rookie scoring record with 1,271 points.[7] He also received NBA Rookie of the Month accolades for January 2023.[1] During the 2024–25 season, Mathurin achieved career highs including 38 points in a single game and 16 rebounds, playing a pivotal role off the bench as the Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals, where he contributed 19 points in Game 2 and 23 in Game 4.[10][7] In the 2025–26 season, at age 23, Mathurin has appeared in early games as a key contributor but is currently recovering from a toe injury as of November 2025 and is expected to return soon to start at shooting guard and remain one of the Pacers' primary scoring options.[11][12]Early life and high school career
Early life
Bennedict Richard Felder Mathurin was born on June 19, 2002, in Montreal, Quebec, to Haitian immigrant parents Elvie Jeune, a nurse, and Felix Mathurin, who has since passed away.[13][14][15] Raised in the Montreal-Nord Est neighborhood, a predominantly immigrant area known for its challenges, Mathurin grew up in a tight-knit Haitian-Canadian family that emphasized resilience amid hardships.[14][16] His upbringing reflected his dual heritage, blending Haitian cultural roots with the multicultural fabric of Montreal.[17] As a child, Mathurin initially gravitated toward ice hockey and Canadian football, where he played as a quarterback, alongside casual basketball play on local courts.[18] These early sports experiences in Montreal-Nord fostered his competitive spirit, but basketball began to emerge as a family passion, influenced by his older sister, Jennifer "Jenn" Mathurin, who pursued the sport at the collegiate level for NC State.[19] By around age 13, following personal family challenges, he shifted his primary focus to basketball, finding solace and purpose on the court through family encouragement and neighborhood games.[20] A pivotal moment in Mathurin's early life came in 2014, when he was 12, with the tragic death of his older brother, Dominique Jeune, who was 15 and struck by a car while riding his bicycle on September 30.[21][22] This loss profoundly shaped his resilience, channeling grief into a deepened dedication to basketball as a way to honor his brother and support his family, with his mother's long work hours underscoring the importance of perseverance.[13][23]High school career
Mathurin began his formal high school basketball career in Quebec before relocating internationally for advanced development. In 2018, at the age of 15, he joined the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City, Mexico, becoming the first Canadian-born student-athlete to enroll in the program.[24][25] Over the next two years (2018–20), Mathurin immersed himself in an intensive training regimen designed to emulate NBA standards, including daily skill work, strength conditioning, and tactical drills under professional coaching.[26] The academy environment also facilitated his adaptation to English-language instruction and a multicultural setting, fostering personal growth alongside his athletic progress as he competed against top international prospects.[21] During this period, Mathurin showcased his talents in high-profile events such as the NBA Academy Games and the 2020 BioSteel All-Canadian Games, where his scoring ability and athleticism drew attention from major U.S. college programs.[27] These performances contributed to his recognition as a four-star recruit, ranked No. 53 overall in the 2020 class by 247Sports.[28]College career
Freshman year (2020–21)
Mathurin committed to the University of Arizona in January 2020 under head coach Sean Miller, choosing the Wildcats over offers from programs including Baylor.[29][30] However, Miller departed the program in October 2020 amid an NCAA investigation, leading to associate head coach Tommy Lloyd assuming the role of interim head coach for the 2020–21 season, which he retained permanently thereafter. As a freshman, Mathurin transitioned to college basketball during a season disrupted by COVID-19 protocols, including limited non-conference scheduling and health-related pauses, playing in all 26 games while starting 12.[31][32] In his rookie campaign, Mathurin primarily served as a sixth man, developing his scoring ability off the bench and contributing to Arizona's perimeter attack with efficient shooting. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.8% from three-point range, while ranking fifth in the Pac-12 with an 84.6% free-throw percentage.[33][5] His adjustment to the college level was evident in Pac-12 play, where he scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 24 points against Washington State and 31 points against Oregon State on January 14, 2021.[34] He was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on January 4 after averaging 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in wins over Washington and Washington State.[5] Mathurin's efforts helped Arizona compile a 17–9 overall record and 11–9 mark in Pac-12 play, securing fifth place in the conference standings despite the challenges of a shortened season.[31] The Wildcats did not participate in postseason play, including the Pac-12 Tournament or NCAA Tournament, due to a self-imposed ban related to ongoing NCAA compliance issues.[32] For his performance, Mathurin earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, recognizing his impact as a key rotational player in Lloyd's inaugural year.[33][5]Sophomore year (2021–22)
As a sophomore, Bennedict Mathurin earned promotion to the starting shooting guard role for the Arizona Wildcats, starting all 37 games he appeared in during the 2021–22 season. He delivered a breakout performance, averaging 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while showcasing improved scoring efficiency with a 45.0% field goal percentage and 36.9% from three-point range.[35][33] Mathurin's leadership propelled Arizona to a dominant Pac-12 campaign, securing both the regular-season title with an 18–2 conference record and the tournament championship after defeating UCLA 84–76 in the final. In that title game, he tallied 27 points to earn Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. For his efforts, Mathurin was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, First Team All-Pac-12, and a consensus Second Team All-American, recognizing his pivotal role in the team's 33–4 overall record.[36][37][38] In the NCAA Tournament, Arizona earned a No. 1 seed and advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling 72–60 to Houston. Mathurin's scoring prowess remained a cornerstone of the Wildcats' success throughout the postseason. Following the season, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft on April 13, forgoing his junior year at Arizona.[39][40]Professional career
2022 NBA draft
Mathurin entered the 2022 NBA draft as a projected lottery pick, bolstered by his scoring prowess during his sophomore season at Arizona, where he averaged 19.7 points per game and earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors.[41] He participated in several pre-draft workouts, including an individual session with the Indiana Pacers on June 10, 2022, and another with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier that week, impressing scouts with his athleticism and shooting ability.[42][43] On June 23, 2022, the Pacers selected Mathurin sixth overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.[44] The team viewed him as an intriguing swingman capable of contributing on both ends with his leaping ability and perimeter shooting.[45] On July 3, 2022, Mathurin signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Pacers worth $29,936,173, including team options for the third and fourth seasons. In the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Mathurin showcased his athleticism and shooting touch, averaging 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals over three games for the Pacers.[46] Entering training camp, he was projected to serve as a bench scorer behind established guards like Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, providing instant offense off the pine with his scoring versatility.[47]2022–23 season
Mathurin made his NBA debut on October 19, 2022, in a 114–107 loss to the Washington Wizards, where he recorded four points, two rebounds, and one assist in 18 minutes off the bench. During the 2022–23 season, he appeared in 78 games for the Indiana Pacers, starting 17 times, and averaged 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while playing 28.5 minutes on average.[8] His shooting efficiency included 43.4% from the field and 31.9% from three-point range, reflecting his role as a primary scoring option in a rebuilding Pacers lineup that finished 35–47 and missed the playoffs.[8][48] Initially coming off the bench, Mathurin transitioned into a more prominent role as injuries and the team's youth movement provided opportunities, allowing him to showcase his scoring versatility amid Indiana's focus on development over immediate contention.[49] One standout performance came on October 29, 2022, when he erupted for a career-high 32 points, including six three-pointers, in a 125–116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, just his seventh NBA game.[50] His contributions helped stabilize the offense during a season of transition, with notable growth in off-ball movement to complement playmakers like Tyrese Haliburton, though defensive awareness remained an area for improvement.[51] Mathurin's rookie campaign earned him widespread recognition, including selection to the 2023 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, where he scored 14 points as part of the victorious Team Pau. In April 2023, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting behind Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. Despite the Pacers' postseason absence, Mathurin's efficient scoring and emerging defensive effort highlighted his potential as a foundational piece in Indiana's rebuild.[52]2023–24 season
In the 2023–24 season, Mathurin emerged as a key contributor off the bench for the Indiana Pacers, serving as the primary sixth man and helping lead the league's highest-scoring reserve unit in points per game before his injury. Building on his rookie foundation, he expanded his role with increased usage, averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 59 games, while shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range.[8] His improved efficiency was evident in standout performances, including a 37-point outburst against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2024, where he scored efficiently with multiple threes and drives to the basket.[53] Mathurin's breakout was highlighted during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where he earned MVP honors in the Rising Stars Challenge on February 16, 2024, scoring 18 points to lead Team Jalen to victory and becoming the first Pacers player to win the award.[54] His scoring prowess and versatility off the bench provided crucial spacing and energy for Indiana's high-octane offense, contributing to the team's strong mid-season surge. However, Mathurin's season was cut short on March 6, 2024, when he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. Diagnosed on March 9, the injury required season-ending surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in April 2024, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.[55] Despite his absence, the Pacers finished the regular season with a 47–35 record, securing the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in four games.2024–25 season
Mathurin returned from right shoulder labrum surgery, which he underwent in March 2024 after an injury sustained during the 2023–24 season, making his debut for the 2024–25 campaign in early October.[56][55] He appeared in 72 regular-season games for the Indiana Pacers, starting in 49 of them while averaging 29.9 minutes per game, a career high that reflected his expanded role in the offense.[8] Mathurin posted season averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range on increased usage.[57] The Pacers finished the regular season with a 50–32 record, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.[58] Mathurin contributed significantly to several key victories, including a 28-point performance in a win against the New York Knicks that highlighted his scoring efficiency and defensive rebounding.[59] In the playoffs, Mathurin averaged 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists across 22 games as the Pacers advanced through the Eastern Conference, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers before overcoming the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.[60] Indiana reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series that the Pacers lost 3–4.[61] A standout moment came in Game 3 of the Finals, where Mathurin scored 25 points off the bench to help Indiana secure a 116–107 victory and take a 2–1 series lead.[62]2025–26 season
Mathurin entered the 2025–26 season as a restricted free agent candidate after the Indiana Pacers and his representatives failed to agree on a rookie-scale contract extension by the October 20, 2025, deadline.[63][64] He had signed a four-year, $29.9 million rookie contract following his selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, with the 2025–26 campaign serving as his final year under team control.[64] Mathurin started the season as the Pacers' shooting guard, delivering an explosive performance in the opener on October 23, 2025, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 141–135 double-overtime loss.[1] In the following game on October 25 against the Memphis Grizzlies, he added 26 points before exiting early due to injury, contributing to early-season averages of 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 54.8% field goal shooting over two games.[53][65] His hot start built on the confidence gained from the Pacers' run to the 2025 NBA Finals. During the Grizzlies game, Mathurin suffered a right big toe sprain (turf toe) on the first possession of the second half, limiting him to 28 minutes before he was ruled out.[66] The injury was diagnosed as week-to-week, leading to his absence through the team's early November games, including matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, with no firm return timetable announced as of November 8, 2025. As of November 15, 2025, head coach Rick Carlisle stated Mathurin is "getting close" to a return but remains out for upcoming games.[67][68][69] With key players like Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, Mathurin was projected for high usage in the Pacers' offense during what appeared to be a transitional rebuild year following their 2025 Eastern Conference championship.[70] This role carried significant implications for his 2026 restricted free agency, where his performance could influence offer sheets from other teams and the Pacers' matching rights.[71]International career
Youth career
Mathurin was selected to represent Canada at the under-19 level after being cut from the senior national team's training camp for the 2021 Olympic qualifying tournament.[72] He made his international debut with the U19 squad at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup held in Riga and Daugavpils, Latvia.[73] Throughout the tournament, Mathurin averaged 16.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game across seven contests, playing 28 minutes on average and contributing to Canada's third-place finish.[73] In the bronze medal game against Serbia, he delivered a standout performance with 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting, helping secure a 101-92 victory and marking Canada's second-ever podium finish in the event.[74] This exposure to high-level international competition allowed Mathurin to refine his scoring versatility and defensive awareness ahead of the 2022 NBA draft.[75]Senior career
Mathurin first joined Canada's senior national team program during the Americas qualifiers for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in August 2022, participating in training sessions as a 20-year-old prospect to build experience within the squad.[76] He expressed strong interest in representing Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament itself, but after attending training camps, he was not selected for the final 12-man roster; the team went on to secure bronze in the Philippines.[77] A torn labrum in his right shoulder, sustained during the 2023–24 NBA season with the Indiana Pacers, required season-ending surgery in March 2024 and sidelined him from competitive play for the remainder of the year.[78] This injury prevented his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, though he attended the senior team's training camp in Toronto in June 2024 solely for observational purposes to gain familiarity with the program's dynamics.[79] As of November 2025, Mathurin has yet to make his official FIBA senior tournament debut, with his international experience limited to preparatory activities. Following his full recovery from shoulder surgery in 2024, he is positioned as an emerging talent alongside established stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and has voiced commitment to honoring Canadian representation on the global stage, viewing his development as key to the team's future depth.[80] With the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas qualifiers set to begin on November 28, 2025, against the Bahamas, Mathurin is a potential candidate for selection.[81][82]Career statistics
College
Bennedict Mathurin played two seasons for the Arizona Wildcats from 2020 to 2022. His college statistics are summarized in the following table, which includes per-game averages for key categories across both seasons.[33]| Year | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 26 | 12 | 25.0 | .471 | .418 | .846 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 10.8 |
| 2021–22 | 37 | 37 | 32.5 | .450 | .369 | .764 | 5.6 | 2.5 | 17.7 |
| Career | 63 | 49 | 29.4 | .458 | .385 | .797 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 14.8 |
NBA regular season
Bennedict Mathurin has played in 211 NBA regular season games with the Indiana Pacers through the early 2025–26 season, posting career averages of 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 44.7% field goal shooting.[83][8] His career 3-point shooting stands at 34.4%, with an 82.9% free-throw percentage and a player efficiency rating (PER) of 14.5.[8][84] Mathurin's statistical output has shown steady progression, though limited by injuries that affected his games played in multiple seasons.[1] In his rookie 2022–23 campaign, he appeared in 78 games, averaging 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 43.4% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range.[83] The following year, a right shoulder labral tear sidelined him for much of the 2023–24 season after 59 games, during which he averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 44.6% shooting.[1][9] He rebounded in 2024–25 with 72 games played, boosting his averages to 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists at 45.8% field goal efficiency and 34.0% from beyond the arc.[11] Early in the 2025–26 season, Mathurin exploded for 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over two games on 54.8% shooting before suffering a right great toe sprain that halted his play.[53][85]| Season | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 78 | 17 | 28.5 | 43.4 | 32.3 | 82.8 | 16.7 | 4.1 | 1.5 |
| 2023–24 | 59 | 19 | 26.1 | 44.6 | 37.4 | 82.1 | 14.5 | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| 2024–25 | 72 | 49 | 29.8 | 45.8 | 34.0 | 83.1 | 16.1 | 5.3 | 1.9 |
| 2025–26 | 2 | 2 | 36.5 | 54.8 | 50.0 | 88.5 | 31.0 | 7.0 | 2.5 |
| Career | 211 | 87 | 28.4 | 44.7 | 34.4 | 82.9 | 16.0 | 4.5 | 1.8 |
NBA playoffs
Mathurin's first NBA playoff appearance came during the 2024–25 postseason, as the Indiana Pacers mounted a deep run to the NBA Finals after missing the playoffs in his rookie 2022–23 season and sitting out the 2023–24 postseason due to injury.[8] In 22 games off the bench, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, providing scoring punch and energy in a reserve role during the Pacers' 15–7 playoff campaign.[60] His overall field goal percentage stood at 45.9%, though three-point efficiency dropped to around 35% in higher-stakes series, reflecting adjustments to intensified defenses.[86] The Pacers opened with a 4–1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, where Mathurin appeared in four games, averaging 10.3 points and 2.8 rebounds while contributing 1.0 steal per contest.[87] In the conference semifinals, they dispatched the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1, with Mathurin logging 11.4 points and 1.8 rebounds across five outings, shooting 51.4% from the field.[88] Against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals—a 4–2 triumph—his production dipped to 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in six games, hampered by a 28.6% three-point mark amid the series' physicality.[89] Mathurin elevated his impact in the NBA Finals, a seven-game loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, including standout performances like 27 points in Game 3.[90][91]| Series | Opponent | Result | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Milwaukee Bucks | 4–1 W | 4 | 10.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | .429 | .133 |
| Conference Semifinals | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–1 W | 5 | 11.4 | 1.8 | 0.4 | .514 | .412 |
| Eastern Conference Finals | New York Knicks | 4–2 W | 6 | 9.7 | 2.8 | 0.8 | .500 | .286 |
| NBA Finals | Oklahoma City Thunder | 3–4 L | 7 | 12.4 | 5.1 | 1.3 | .421 | .333 |