Arizona Basketball Star Bennedict Mathurin declares for 2022 NBA Draft

We knew this day would come, as Bennedict Mathurin will not return to the Arizona Basketball program, declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.

We couldn’t be happier for Arizona Basketball star Bennedict Mathurin, as the Canadian native has officially declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.

And don’t think for one minute that he has turned on Tucson! The Pac-12 Player of the Year has to declare now because he is ready, he has proven himself, and he is projected to go Top 10 in the draft. It’s what’s best for him at this time as I projected during the season.

Just look at UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. who was injured this past season and isn’t projected to be drafted in some mock drafts. It is not worth the risk to come back to play another season for Arizona.

Mathurin told me last season that every game he played, there were many NBA teams there to scout him. With his success on the court playing in Tommy Lloyd’s scheme, he was clutch for the the team in many ways as he displayed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Texas Christian when he scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

In his sophomore season, Mathurin scored 25 or more points in eight games and earned three double-doubles.

Mathurin showed a ton of improvement over last season. He played in 11 more games and earned a starting position in each one of them. In 37 games played, Mathurin averaged 32.5 minutes, 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/13/2022.

The following is a list of all of the awards Mathurin has accumulated thus far:

• Pac-12 Regular season Champion
• Pac-12 Tournament Champion
• Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player
• Consensus second-team All-American (2022)
• Pac-12 Player of the Year (2022)
• First-team All-Pac-12 (2022)
• Pac-12 Tournament MOP (2022)
• Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2021)

Our beloved Wildcat announced his declaration for the NBA Draft in a Tweet, just 13 seconds after Jonathan Givony from Draft Express announced it (Couldn’t he wait?).

Mathurin stands 6-foot-7 but with his elevation and ability to create space, height isn’t an issue for the former four-star NBA Academy athlete.

As far as the draft, there is no consensus as to which team and what spot he will land, but almost all projections have him hearing his name called in the top 10. Here are some projections:

• Kyle Boone (CBS Sports) – No. 9 to the New Orleans Pelicans
• Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes (NBC Sports) – No. 9 to the New Orleans Pelicans
• Nick Crain (Fan Nation) – No. 8 to the San Antonio Spurs
• NBADraft.net – No. 7 to the Sacramento Kings
• Cody Taylor (USA Today) – No. 6 to the Portland Trailblazers
• Tankathon.com – No. 8 to the New Orleans Pelicans
• Jonathon Givony and Mike Schmitz (ESPN) – No. 10 to the New Orleans Pelicans
• My NBA Draft – No. 9 to the San Antonio Spurs
• Kyle Irving (Sporting News) – No. 9 to the New Orleans Pelicans
• Bryan Kalbrosky (HoopsHype) – No. 9 (No team listed)

Wouldn’t it be fun if he joined Brandon Williams in Portland though? Just think of that for a moment. We’re sure where ever Mathurin lands, his teammates, his coaches and his fans will be ecstatic!

We cannot wait to cover his pro career, he has so much upside, and we have been privileged to be a part of his journey so far.

Just for fun, we included Bennedict’s Highlights from the 2021-22 season!