Pacers reserve swingman Bennedict Mathurin and Thunder wing Jalen Williams have been voted the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month for October and November, the league announced (Twitter link). Since the 2022/23 regular season only got underway in late October, the partial month was folded into November in this instance.
Drafted with the sixth pick out of Arizona, the 6’6″ Mathurin is averaging 19.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 APG and 0.6 SPG in 28 MPG off the bench for the 12-9 Pacers.
Williams, the No. 12 selection out of Santa Clara, is averaging 10.7 PPG on 52.4% field goal shooting, along with 3.2 RPG and 2.6 APG for a solid 9-13 Oklahoma City squad.
The NBA adds (via Twitter) that Rockets power forwards Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., Kings power forward Keegan Murray, Trail Blazers rookie guard Shaedon Sharpe, Magic big man Paolo Banchero, Hawks wing AJ Griffin, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, and Mathurin’s Indiana teammate Andrew Nembhard were also nominees for the honor.
Benny Mathhh
Tried to tell yall about these 2 boys before the draft. It was something like trying to teach English to a pig. They’re both gonna be All-Rookie but I got a feeling the casuals won’t get on board until they get a national tv game & Jeff Van Gundy gives his stamp of approval.. link to m.youtube.com
Yeah …… OK
I wanted Knicks to tank for him. When nobody was talking about him. Thing that helps him most. Is his size. Is athletic and got talent plus size. Tough cover I was willing to trade up for him. If only Knicks listened to me, huh.
Pacers got two stars in Haliburton and Mathurin. Just getting started. Both big at their position.
Jalen Williams was the person I picked to be rookie of the year in this very fourm.
Way to go Jalen.