One week before the NBA draft, Montreal’s Bennedict Mathurin isn’t too worried about his possible selection rank.
As much as he is recognized for his competitive spirit on the field, the University of Arizona Wildcats product mentions that the most important thing for him, when he is drafted, will be to join a team where he will have an interesting role to play. Pride is left out in the face of other prospects who may be selected before him.
“It’s not a question of number, it’s above all knowing the position in which I will find myself to help the team and to succeed in having an impact, said Mathurin calmly, Thursday, during an availability media offered by the NBA to key prospects. All that matters to me is winning.”
Interested teams
Mathurin, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on Sunday, will logically become the fastest drafted Quebecer in NBA history. While top experts try to predict the order of the players selected, the Montrealer admitted that he had been met by many teams last month during the NBA “combine” which took place in Chicago .
According to Mathurin, the Washington Wizards, in ninth place, and the San Antonio Spurs, in 10th place, have particularly shown interest. If a top 2 seems unlikely for the Quebecer, the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, between third and sixth place, could just as well surprise by calling the name du Montréalais, next Thursday, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Jabari Smith in the front row?
Considered by many to be the main hope of the draft, American Jabari Smith Jr. admitted on Thursday that he expected to be chosen first, by the Orlando Magic, or even by the Thunder. ‘Oklahoma City, in second place.
“I don’t see myself going lower than second,” said the former Auburn University student. Being selected first overall means a lot to me. I see it as a great opportunity to reach the next level in my career.”
Last season, the Magic was limited to a 22-60 record. This means that Smith Jr., despite his 19 years, could quickly become a great leader in Orlando.