Ben Mathurin doesn’t hold any grudge about the fact that he wasn’t able to capture this season’s Rookie of the Year despite posting solid numbers and performances.
As he talked with HoopsHype’s Dionysis Aravantinos, Mathurin admitted that he could have displayed a much better showing on several occasions. As such, he prefers to move forward and be focused on what lies ahead for next year.
“I had a pretty good season overall; there were a few games where I could’ve been better. It’s fine, though. I’m not mad at it; I don’t hold any grudge against anybody. Try to come back next year and have a better season,” he said.
The rookie out of Arizona came up productive in his first year in the association as he averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 boards and 1.5 assists in 43.4 percent shooting. He tallied these numbers in most of his 78 total games as a reserve.
He didn’t make the cut as a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award with Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic capturing the plum. But given the stats he compiled, Mathurin was still able to gain All-Rookie First Team considerations.
Owning those special traits of a swingman while boasting that sheer competitiveness, the 20-year-old Canadian is indeed bound for stardom as he stands as one of the young cornerstones of the promising Indiana Pacers squad.
