Arizona Basketball: Breakdown of international players from 2020 class
By Ian Mumm
Arizona Basketball newcomer – Bennedict Mathurin, Canada – SG/SF – 6’6,190 lbs
A standout from the NBA Academy Latin America, Mathurin is an extremely versatile wing prospect to add to next season’s roster and likely the most touted of the incoming prospects. At the 2020 Basketball Without Borders event in February, Mathurin emerged as one of the best players at the camp that included Jonathan Kuminga, Kai Sotto, Adama Sanogo, Charles Bediako and Josh Primo. Mathurin already displays certain maturity to his approach in games and consistently looks to attack holes in the defense.
Incredibly explosive around the rim and physical playing through contact, he is also a very reliable free-throw shooter – something that can be said only of Jemarl Baker Jr and Max Hazzard last season. As a successful downhill wing, Mathurin is quite reliable as a perimeter shooter and has finished several games with more than six made 3s in a game. With nearly a 6’9” wingspan, there’s no reason why flashbacks of Josh Green defensively won’t come up here as well.
His versatility will ease the relatively thin group of wing players available for the Wildcats next season. Mathurin should get the starting nod ahead of fellow freshman and wing Dalen Terry, playing a pivotal role on both ends of the floor. Something to watch developmentally is his midrange game, which he hasn’t relied on much due to his ability to get around defenders.