Who is Bennedict Mathurin? The Indian Pacers' rookie shooting guard taking the NBA by storm to start the 2022-23 season

Twenty-year-old Canadian rookie shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin has gotten off to a blazing hot start through his first three games for the Indiana Pacers.

Mathurin debuted with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three 3-pointers on 7-for-15 (46.7%) shooting in the Pacers’ season opener against the Washington Wizards. He followed that up with 26 points, five rebounds, and three 3-pointers on 8-for-15 (53.3%) shooting versus the San Antonio Spurs.

In his third game, Mathurin increased his scoring numbers once again, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and five 3-pointers on 10-for-18 (55.6%) shooting. He led the Pacers to their first win of the season, a 124-115 home victory against the Detroit Pistons.

Bennedict Mathurin now averages 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 3-pointers per game on 52.1% shooting so far. His 24.0PPG currently leads all rookies, edging out Orlando Magic No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 23.3 points per game after three games.

Overall, this kind of production is exactly what the Indiana Pacers were looking for when they selected Mathurin at No. 6 in the 2022 NBA draft.

Bennedict Mathurin also had a similarly productive sophomore breakout season for the Arizona Wildcats in college last year. He averaged of 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 2.2 3-pointers per game on 45.0% shooting. At 6-foot-6 with athleticism as well as shooting and scoring ability, Mathurin was described by draft analysts as a wing prospect with All-Star level potential.

Some analysts were a bit worried about his shot-creating ability at the NBA level, but obviously, that hasn’t been an issue for Mathurin so far.

In terms of NBA comparisons, Bennedict Mathurin’s ceiling has been compared to former NBA stars Ray Allen and Jason Richardson. If his first three games are any indication, that ceiling should be a realistic goal for Mathurin to reach.

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How good can Bennedict Mathurin and the rest of the Indiana Pacers' young core be?

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton

With the emergence of Bennedict Mathurin as an early favorite to win Rookie of the Year, the Indiana Pacers' future is suddenly looking much brighter.

Just a season ago, Indiana was stuck in mediocrity with their veteran core built around All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. However, the decision to trade Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings for rising star guard Tyrese Haliburton set the Pacers on track for a successful rebuild.

In 29 games for the Pacers, Haliburton has looked like a franchise cornerstone, averaging 18.3 points, 9.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He has also been hyper-efficient for a guard with a 50.1/41.6/86.7 shooting split.

Between Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking and Bennedict Mathurin’s go-to scoring ability, the Pacers now have a very strong backcourt of the future. Mathurin isn’t starting yet but it’s only a matter of time before he is included. In the frontcourt, the Pacers already have a few interesting big-man prospects as well. This includes athletic shot-blocking second-year big man Isaiah Jackson. It also includes stretch big man Jalen Smith, who's looked promising since arriving via trade from the Phoenix Suns.

Right now, Indiana is probably one elite forward prospect away from having one of the best young cores in the league. The Pacers just need to prioritize developing their young guys this season and trying to land another top draft pick. If they do, they could rise up the Eastern Conference standings sooner than previously expected.