Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin is the sixth overall pick in 2022

There were many rumors surrounding the Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft. The team selected sixth overall for the first time in decades and they select Bennedict Mathurin with that pick.

Bennedict Mathurin will join the Indiana Pacers as it is the first time they selected sixth overall in franchise history.

Now that the dust has settled in this year’s NBA draft and picks are now official, the Pacers have a weight off their shoulders as they make one of the most important picks in the history of the franchise. Bennedict Mathurinis 20 years old as of June 19th, 2022.

James Boyd of the Indystar was able to get Mathurin to describe his game during the NBA draft combine.

"“I think I’m a two-way player,” Mathurin said at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. “I think I’m able to showcase (how) to get a stop defensively. I get (after) it for 30 seconds and we get the (win) because I get a stop, or offensively because I’m able to shoot the ball and just have an impact both ways.”"

A two-way player should be music to Pacers’ ears. For a team that ranked at the bottom of the league in defensive rating during the 2021-22 NBA season, defense is crucial for a Pacers team trying to build back into the playoffs.

What are the Pacers getting out of this pick? The answer is easy for Mathurin.

"“My heart man, they are getting everything from me. From the jump to the end, and… they’re getting everything”."

https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1540140929130139648?s=20&t=X0s2Pkj8uglh001rAnj1_Q

Kevin Pritchard, the team President, had high praise for the Pacers’ newest member.

"“This is a player that we have targeted for quite some time because we believe he has the ability to contribute immediately and become a key part of our foundation moving forward.”"

Mathurin showed out in this year’s March Madness tournament, but he had a good season overall. Going from 10 PPG in his first year to an average of 17 PPG this season, he played well in the extended minutes he saw. He has great athleticism, and his shot is solid. I like his upside, passing abilities, and fit with his 6’7”, 210lbs frame.

Hear from the man himself:

Mathurin’s shooting is an exciting factor in his game and what he could bring to the Pacers. On 6.1 attempts a game, he shot 36% from behind the arc and his shot looks pretty. Mathurin was a consensus All-American along with many PAC-12 honors in his time at Arizona.

Tyrese Haliburton seemed excited to see Mathurin as the Pacers’ selection. After he was drafted, the two shared a facetime call.

The Indiana Pacers still have picks No. 31 and No. 58 in the 2022 NBA draft, but they already come out of the draft with “their guy”. Trades have yet to be had in Indiana so that is something to monitor as the draft continues and the Pacers add to their roster.