Bennedict Mathurin

Early Life and Amateur Career

Bennedict Mathurin was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, where he initially participated in ice hockey and Canadian football as a quarterback before focusing on basketball. He competed for the Quebec provincial basketball team, an experience that contributed to his early development. In 2018, Mathurin joined the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City, becoming its first Canadian-born player. His performance there solidified his status as a top prospect, with the scouting service North Pole Hoops considering him the best Canadian prospect in his class. Mathurin committed to play college basketball for the University of Arizona, choosing the Wildcats over other programs like Baylor, a decision that set the stage for his collegiate career. His attendance at the NBA Academy provided a unique international pathway for a Canadian player, blending high-level training with academic structure.

College Career at Arizona

He had notable performances, including a 24-point, 11-rebound game in an 86-82 win over Washington State on January 2, 2021, and a 31-point, eight-rebound outing in a 98-64 victory over Oregon State on January 14. Despite generating interest as an NBA draft prospect, he opted to return for his sophomore year to further develop his game. His decision paid off, as he led the Wildcats to significant success during the 2021-22 season. Mathurin scored 30 points in a high-profile 83-79 non-conference win against Illinois on December 11, 2021. He was instrumental in Arizona's run to the Pac-12 tournament championship, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award after leading the team to its eighth conference tournament title. Following the season, Mathurin was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, becoming the ninth Arizona player to receive the honour, and was voted a consensus second-team All-American, the fifth in Wildcat history to make the second team. By winning conference player of the year, his name was added to Arizona's Ring of Honour, making him the 31st Arizona Wildcat men's basketball player to receive that distinction. On April 14, 2022, he declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining two years of college eligibility to begin his professional career.

Professional Career

Mathurin was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2022 NBA draft, making him the first player from Montreal ever selected as a lottery pick. He joined the seventh overall pick, Shaedon Sharpe, as one of only two Canadians drafted in the first round that year. This selection was the Pacers' highest since choosing Rik Smits second overall in the 1988 NBA draft. He signed his rookie contract with the Pacers on July 3, 2022, and impressed during the NBA Summer League, earning All-Summer League Second Team honours after averaging 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. His regular season debut was marked by immediate scoring prowess, as he scored 19 points off the bench in a 114 to 107 loss to the Washington Wizards on October 19, 2022. Mathurin's hot start included scoring 72 points over his first three games, the most by a rookie since Jerry Stackhouse scored 76 to start the 1995-96 season, and he became the first Pacer to score over 100 points in his first five career games. He set a career-high of 32 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting in a 125 to 116 win over the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2022. For his efforts, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November 2022 after averaging 19.2 points and 4 rebounds on 40.3% three-point shooting. He was selected as a 2023 NBA Rising Star alongside teammate Andrew Nembhard and, on February 13, 2023, became the fastest Pacers rookie since Chuck Person in 1987 to reach 1,000 career points. Mathurin finished his rookie season fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

In his second season, Mathurin continued to develop, posting 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in a win against the Utah Jazz on November 8, 2023, and scoring 26 points with 11 rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks the following day. A highlight of the 2023-24 campaign was being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where he scored 22 total points and helped lead Team Jalen to the tournament championship. His season was cut short on March 9, 2024, when he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury which required surgery and ended his year. The Pacers, however, advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals without him. Mathurin returned strong for the 2024-25 season, setting a new career high with 38 points, including seven three-pointers, in a 132 to 121 win over the New York Knicks on November 10, 2024, forming a scoring duo with Tyrese Haliburton that replicated a feat last achieved by Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller in 2000. He recorded a career-high 16 rebounds to go with 28 points in an overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on March 20, 2025. He played a key role in the Pacers' playoff run, scoring 23 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in a game-five loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 29, 2025, and the Pacers eventually won the series to advance to the 2025 NBA Finals. In the Finals, he scored a playoff career-high 27 points in only 22 minutes off the bench in a Game 3 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 11, 2025, helping the Pacers take a 2-1 series lead. Mathurin began the 2025-26 season with the Pacers, making 28 appearances, including 24 starts, and averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game before a mid-season trade.

On February 5, 2026, the Indiana Pacers traded Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and one second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. In his Clippers home debut on February 19, 2026, Mathurin tied his career high with 38 points off the bench in a 115 to 114 win over the Denver Nuggets. His tenure with the Clippers was brief, as he entered free agency following the season. On September 11, 2026, Mathurin agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania. He made his Pelicans debut on October 21, 2026, recording 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a 123 to 120 loss to his former team, the Indiana Pacers. During the 2026 preseason, he competed for a starting role, was listed as a starter for a game against Miami, and came off the bench to score a team-high 13 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBA Statistics

Throughout his NBA career, Mathurin has established himself as a dynamic scoring guard-forward. His rookie season averages and subsequent performances demonstrate his offensive capabilities and growth. The following table outlines his key statistical averages per game for his first four full seasons in the league, illustrating his progression as a professional. These figures highlight Mathurin's consistent scoring output and improving all-around game, particularly in rebounding for his position.

In the 2026-27 season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Bennedict Mathurin has averaged approximately 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in early reports. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Pelicans on September 11, 2026. This followed his trade from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2026 and his subsequent free agency. His statistical output reflects an adjustment period as he integrates into his third NBA franchise.

National Team Career

Mathurin has represented Canada on the international stage, most notably at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Riga and Daugavpils, Latvia. He joined the team after being cut from the senior squad for the Tokyo Olympics, seeking to gain experience and contribute to the junior program. On July 4, 2021, he scored a team-high 30 points, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 6-of-9 from three-point range, in a 100-75 group-stage victory over Japan. One week later, in the third-place game against Serbia, Mathurin erupted for 31 points to secure a 101-92 win and the bronze medal for Canada. Over the course of the tournament, he averaged 16.1 points and four rebounds per game, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer for his country. His performance at the tournament was a clear demonstration of his scoring ability against international competition and marked him as a future key player for the Canadian senior national team program.

Personal Life

Bennedict Mathurin is of Haitian descent and is multilingual, speaking English, French, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. His older sister, Jennifer, played college basketball for North Carolina State University, indicating a family background in the sport. A significant personal event in his childhood was the death of his 15-year-old brother in a bicycle accident when Mathurin was 12 years old. Beyond basketball, Mathurin is active on social media, including Instagram under the handle 'bennedict'. His journey from Montreal to the NBA Academy, through college basketball, and onto the NBA stage represents a significant narrative in the growth of Canadian basketball talent, particularly for players from Quebec. He has engaged with media about his competitive spirit and adjustment to new teams, as seen in interviews during the New Orleans Pelicans' 2026 training camp and media day where he discussed his fit with the team.

Honours and Awards

Throughout his basketball career, Bennedict Mathurin has accumulated a significant number of individual honours and awards that recognize his talent and performance at various levels. His achievements span his collegiate years, his early professional tenure, and his international play for Canada. The following list details the major accolades he has earned, providing a timeline of his accomplishments from university to the NBA. His Pac-12 Player of the Year award made him the ninth Arizona Wildcat to win the honour, and his All-Rookie First Team selection placed him among the top five first-year players in the league for the 2022-23 season.

• Pac-12 Player of the Year (2022)
• Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2022)
• Consensus Second-Team All-American (2022)
• Arizona Wildcats Ring of Honour (2022)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2023)
• Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (November 2022)
• NBA Rising Star selection (2023, 2024)
• NBA Rising Stars Challenge Most Valuable Player (2024)
• FIBA Under-19 World Cup Bronze Medal (2021)

Mathurin's professional accolades trace his development from a top college player to an established NBA performer. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023 after finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He was also selected as an NBA Rising Star in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024, he won the NBA Rising Stars Challenge MVP award, which was notable as the event was held in Indianapolis where he began his career with the Pacers.

Questions about Bennedict Mathurin

Where is Bennedict Mathurin from?

Bennedict Mathurin was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. He is of Haitian descent. He grew up playing ice hockey and Canadian football as a quarterback. He also competed for the Quebec provincial basketball team before joining the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City.

Which NBA team drafted Bennedict Mathurin?

Bennedict Mathurin was drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2022 NBA draft. This made him the first player ever from Montreal to be selected as a lottery pick. He was the Pacers' highest draft selection since they picked Rik Smits second overall in 1988. He was one of only two Canadians, alongside Shaedon Sharpe, selected in the first round that year.

Has Bennedict Mathurin won any NBA awards?

Yes, Mathurin was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023. He finished fourth in voting for the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year award. He was selected as an NBA Rising Star in 2023 and 2024, winning the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award in 2024. He also earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours for November 2022.

What were Bennedict Mathurin's achievements in college?

At the University of Arizona, Bennedict Mathurin was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and the Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2022. He was also voted a consensus second team All American, becoming the fifth Wildcat to make the second team and the thirtieth All American in school history. By winning conference player of the year, he became the 31st Arizona men's basketball player to have his name placed in the school's Ring of Honour. These honours came after a sophomore season where he led the Wildcats to their eighth Pac-12 tournament title.

Which team does Bennedict Mathurin play for now?

As of the 2026 27 NBA season, Bennedict Mathurin plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. He agreed to a two year, 16 million dollar contract with the Pelicans on September 11, 2026. He made his regular season debut for New Orleans on October 21, 2026, recording 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a 123 120 loss to his former team, the Indiana Pacers. Prior to joining the Pelicans, he was traded from the Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2026.

Sources and further reading

• Bennedict Mathurin (Wikipedia)
• Bennedict Mathurin | Guard-Forward | New Orleans Pelicans (nba.com)
• Bennedict Mathurin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft ... (basketball-reference.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.