Ex-Cat Bennedict Mathurin named NBA All-Rookie first team

Following a tremendous rookie season, former Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin has been named to the NBA’s All-Rookie first team.

After being drafted as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, former Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin has been on a terror.

Playing mostly in a reserve capacity for the Indiana Pacers this past season, Mathurin became the NBA’s first rookie in 18 years to score 1,000 points off the bench, and even more impressively, he finished the year as the NBA’s second-highest scorer that came off the bench.

And following his impressive rookie campaign, Mathurin has been named a first-team All-Rookie selection.

Making news via social media on Monday, Ben joined Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, Utah’s Walker Kessler, and Sacramento’s Keegan Murray as a First Team All-Rookie.

Becoming the first Wildcat named to the NBA All-Rookie, Bennedict Mathurin joins Deandre Ayton on the list and is the 12th Wildcat named to the team.

The Montreal native may have been overshadowed by the play of fellow Paolo in Orlando; however, what Mathurin did this season is nothing short of impressive.

Appearing in 78 games (17 starts) with the Pacers, Ben averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three.

While the Pacers missed the playoffs, the future is bright in Indiana, and that is largely because of Mathurin. He is an explosive and high-flying player that did impressive things in Tucson, and for him, the sky is certainly the limit.

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