“He’s from Montreal. It means that I have a chance of going to the NBA and that motivates me a lot, ”says Aven Jairho, 16, wiping his sweaty face.
The young man is one of the 60 teenagers present at the new Bennedict Mathurin basketball camp, Monday morning, between the walls of the gymnasium of the Saint-Laurent secondary school.
Mathurin has often expressed, over the past few weeks, his desire to have a positive impact on Quebec basketball players, especially those in Montreal North. This camp is further concrete proof of this.
Although the initial idea came from Bennedict, the organization was mainly the work of his sister and manager, Jennifer. The idea, she explains, was not to set up an elite camp. It was more a question of finding young people “on the eve of dropping out or who lack a little more push for them to give more effort on the basketball side”. She therefore contacted, one by one, the coaches of different programs and schools in Montreal North to ask them to each target a dozen young people.
In our neighborhood, we don’t have a lot of opportunities and visibility. […] Sometimes you have young people who are not identified, who perhaps need a little bit of motivation. We decided to seek out these young people to give them a few more opportunities.
Jennifer Mathurin, sister and manager of Bennedict Mathurin
The camp brings together both boys and girls; a fairness that Jennifer held dear.
“At first, Ben wanted to do a guys’ camp. I said, “If I’m involved, for sure there will be girls.” There is a lot of talent among girls in our neighborhood and everywhere in Quebec. I think that’s really important. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Jennifer Mathurin (left), sister and manager of Bennedict Mathurin
In the gym, Bennedict is less vocal than her sister, but very observant. We see him particularly impressed by the offensive maneuver of a youngster, who has just made a basket.
The Indiana Pacers rookie doesn’t remember attending such a camp when he was young, but does remember tournaments where he saw NBA players in action. “It really motivated me to one day be there myself. »
His message to the 60 teenagers gathered in the Saint-Laurent Express gymnasium? ” Everything is possible. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, everyone has different problems. When you jump onto a pitch, everyone becomes the same person. It’s a sport that saves lives and brings a lot of fun. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
In the gym, Bennedict Mathurin is very observant.
“I’m really proud of him”
It’s been a year since Bennedict Mathurin was selected in the NBA. His name was then on everyone’s lips, he who became the earliest Quebecer drafted in history.
Five days ago, it was the turn of another Quebecer to live the dream. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, selected at 24e rank, is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Mathurin was listening to the repechage that evening. The two players have rubbed shoulders with each other over the years, especially during their time at the NBA’s Latin American Academy, before they made the jump to the NCAA.
“It was really a great moment for him, but also for Quebec. I’m really proud of him. I remember when we played on the same team together, training at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. »
Mathurin praises his counterpart’s athletic qualities as well as his three-point shots, which “helped him get to where he is”. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how he’s going to play. [dans la NBA]. He’s going to have ups and downs, that’s for sure, and that’s the best thing that can happen because that’s what will allow him to grow as a player. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Bennedict Mathurin
Always the same
Mathurin quickly made an impact in the big league, despite not being a starter for the Pacers for much of the season. Jennifer, who moved to Indianapolis to support her brother in his transition, says she is “proud of [l’]effort” from Bennedict this season.
“I think he did that very well. […] He had such a big impact on the team in his freshman year that he was a final pick for Rookie of the Year. Of course I’m biased because I’m his sister; in my heart, he had it. »
” I think [cette année] is a good step to build for next year,” she adds.
Beyond what happened on the ground, the eldest of the family is happy to see that the “focus” of her brother has “tightened”.
“He is really focused on basketball. Everyone asks me what it’s like to deal with my brother, but I answer: “Seriously, I have to tell him to be more sociable!” she exclaims with a laugh.