Bennedict Mathurin is all in on the Indiana Pacers in 2022 and beyond
Bennedict Mathurin is all in on the Indiana Pacers in 2022 and beyond
The Indiana Pacers drafted Bennedict Mathurin with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He has quickly become an exciting piece in the Pacers puzzle.
The Indiana Pacers drafted Bennedict Mathurin with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Bennedict has quickly become an exciting piece in the Pacers puzzle, as they haven’t selected someone in the top ten in many many years.
Bennedict Mathurin is the newest member of the Indiana Pacers and is ready to bring winning back to the city
Mathurin quickly showed during summer league that he was a top ten pick for a reason. He shot the ball well, made plays at the rim, and flashed his knack for cutting through holes in the defense. Mathurin has adopted the community that is Indiana and has explored many different aspects of the city since being drafted here.
He took time to express his thoughts in writing for the Players Tribune. Bennedict’s personality is expressed clearly in the article he wrote — giving insights into his background and his mindset after being drafted. One of the funnier things to stand out, Mathurin explains, was being so excited to be drafted that he forgot to take his phone off of “do not disturb” mode. This meant Indiana’s front office had a tricky time 3connecting with their soon-to-be draft selection.
(Carlisle) was trying to call and tell me I was officially a Pacer, and welcome me to the team. And he got hit with my voicemail!! SIX times. (Sorry, Coach). Thankfully, Coach Rick kept trying and got ahold of me, haha. That’s when he made it clear that they want me to be a part of this thing in Indiana. I told myself before the draft I wasn’t going to cry in front of the cameras — but when I heard my name called, I couldn’t even hold it in.
The Pacers’ social media team released a video of Rick Carlisle on the phone with Mathuring, but that video is much funnier understanding that was the seventh time calling.
Mathurin continues in his article about his mindset going into his rookie season which seems to hold firm. He has now been working out with teammates for months and is immersing himself in the system of Rick Carlisle’s.
“Maybe it’s that confidence talking again, but I’ve never been scared to go up against anybody in my life. So I’m not planning to start acting scared now, just because I’m in the league. I’m coming with the same confidence I’ve always had — the confidence that every time I step on that court, you’re going to learn who I am.”
Confidence won’t be an issue for the sixth overall pick this season. His situation is ideal for most rookies, not having the pressure of impacting winning immediately. Instead, the Pacers will take a slower approach to building a winning team once again and it starts with Bennedict Mathurin and his fit among the other young players on the roster.
On Friday, the Pacers announced that they have signed guard Langston Galloway, forward Justin Anderson, and center Norvel Pelle. Additionally, the team waived forward Bennie Boatwright and guards Gabe York and David Stockton.
Gabe York worked out with the Pacers throughout the offseason and appeared in the final two games of the 2021-22 regular season. He may return to the Mad Ants, as he spent most of last season there. David Stockton was also waived, but the Mad Ants have his rights as well so look to see him in action when their season starts.
Justin Anderson is a familiar face as he spent time with the Pacers during the 2021-22 season. He played on a 10-day contract and as a member of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Norvel Pelle was recently acquired by the Mad Ants in a trade with the Cleveland Charge and will now have a shot to make the Pacers roster, although the Mad Ants have his rights. The Pacers bring another guard and two wing-sized players into their camp as the first preseason game is just weeks away.
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Zach