The Pacers have their best draft pickup in years with the addition of Bennedict Mathurin with this years 6th overall pick. The rookie has been a revelation and is competitive for the rookie of the year award against Orlando’s Paolo Banchero. A new interview from Dime Magazine had some surprising details that Pacers fans should be really excited about.
Bennedict Mathurin wants to earn his place among the NBA's best and understands the work that goes into it. As his rookie year has progressed, those in Indiana have come to understand just how serious he is.https://t.co/IRGX2xF4fw pic.twitter.com/sP8opnKjn6
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) March 3, 2023
1. He’s constantly looking for ways to improve as a player and a professional.
One of the things we have heard repeatedly since Mathurin entered the league is that he is constantly looking for ways to improve. Rick Carlisle talked about how Mathurin during his draft interview wanted to put up shots and work with the Pacers head coach.
"“He was one of the most, if not the most, proactive in terms of seeking out areas for improvement and coaching of anyplayer we’ve had in the NBA Academy,” says Chris Ebersole, the NBA’s Head of Elite Basketball."
It appears that this has always been the case with Chris Ebersole, the NBA’s Head of Elite Basketball, confirming that he saw the same thing in Mathurin during his time with the NBA Academy. And it is surly paying off with how well he is playing early on.