In a few hours, some 1400 km from Montreal, on a basketball court in the state of Indiana, the childhood dream of a young Quebecer will come true.
Posted yesterday at 6:55 p.m.
Bennedict Mathurin will don his number 00 Pacers uniform and take to the field at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for his first NBA game on Wednesday night.
The Montrealer met the media on Tuesday noon, on the eve of the first game of the new season for the Pacers, who made him their first-round pick in the last draft. Video of the press scrum was replayed on the Indiana squad’s website.
“I will probably get my first point in the NBA tomorrow,” said a seemingly serene and calm Mathurin. “I’m glad it’s happening in Indy [Indianapolis]. That’s exciting. I have family and friends who come. I can not wait until tomorrow. »
For his first match, the 20-year-old athlete will face the Washington Wizards led by veteran Bradley Beal. To be honest, the identity of the adversary doesn’t really matter; Mathurin has already let it be known and demonstrated that he will not let himself be impressed by anything or anyone. He did very well in his team’s four preseason games, his unofficial first steps in the NBA, recording 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Those stats represent a high for head coach Rick Carlisle’s young roster. The Quebecer will want to continue in this vein on Wednesday.
“I want to do the same thing that I’ve always done that brought me here,” he said. I want to have fun, but also play with the will to grow every day. It’s an opportunity for me and my teammates to grow as people, but also as players. »
Flowers
Rick Carlisle has often been complimentary of Mathurin in recent weeks. Tuesday was no exception to the rule.
“There are so many things that impress me about [Bennedict], he dropped. His maturity, his skills, his athleticism, these are major qualities for a young player. »
Mathurin was not in the starting five for any of the four preseason games. Whether or not he makes it on Wednesday will mean nothing to the coach. “I consider him a starting caliber player on our team,” he said. What’s great about him is that he accepts the situation no matter what. He just wants to play, contribute to the team, be part of something bigger than him. »
It’s no secret that the Pacers are building for the future. In addition to Mathurin, the team relies in particular on the promising 22-year-old point guard Tyrese Haliburton, acquired in February. Expectations are low in the short term, but high in the long term.
“Every time we set foot on the field, it’s to compete, to have fun, but also to grow as a team,” said Mathurin.
“We have several young players, but a lot of talent. We look forward to playing every game as if it were the last and learning as a team. »