Last week, ESPN’s latest mock draft had Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin being drafted by the New York Knicks with the No. 11 pick. That trend has carried over to The Ringer’s mock draft, where Kevin O’Connor had the Knicks picking the wing No. 9 overall.
There’s a lot that hasn’t gone in New York’s favor in recent years, but if the Knicks have the opportunity to draft one of the best players in March Madness, the front office should jump on it.
The 19-year-old sophomore was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year after he averaged 17.4 points and shot 37.6% from three during the regular season.
In case you didn’t tune into the Wildcats’ 85-80 overtime win over the Horned Frogs on Mar. 20, Mathurin went off. There’s no chance that Arizona would’ve advanced to the Sweet Sixteen if it weren’t for his 30 points (8-of-19), eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
🗣"HE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY AND WE THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY."
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2022
Dalen Terry has a message about Bennedict Mathurin@ArizonaMBB #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/8ATGYAAz5M
It’d be foolish if the New York Knicks didn’t draft Bennedict Mathurin.
In O’Connor’s mock draft, which was updated on Mar. 23, he said that his choice for New York’s pick was “selfish” because he “just wants to see Mathurin suit up for the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.”
Me too, Kevin. I mean, why would the Knicks turn down a wing that can shoot? Granted, Mathurin’s defense needs work, but that’s something that he can work on at the professional level. Tom Thibodeau may have New York’s younger players on a shorter leash than the veterans, but he does know a thing or two about defense.
Hitting shots off the dribble is the premier part of Mathurin’s game, regardless of if it’s a contested shot or not. That aspect of his game is what allowed for the Wildcats to keep dancing.
BENNEDICT MATHURIN. CLUTCH 😱@ArizonaMBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/SRiCmSJIpv
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2022
That isn’t the only shot that’s in his arsenal. Mathurin can knock down shots off screens or find ways to get open for looks.
For the Knicks, the ‘worst’ thing about Mathurin is that he isn’t a true point guard, which is what the organization has been lacking for so long. O’Connor summed it up by writing:
"“He shouldn’t be expected to be a lead playmaker. He’s probably best suited to play in an offense that features multiple ball handlers. He’s not a main facilitator because his playmaking is solid but not spectacular. Think about him like Jamal Murray, whose game is enhanced by Nikola Jokic.”"
That shouldn’t deter New York from picking Mathurin if he’s still on the draft board when it’s the team’s turn to pick. Fans would love to see Jaden Ivey suit up as the Knicks’ point guard next season (although he technically isn’t a ‘true’ point guard), but he’s most likely not going to be available when the Knicks make their pick.
To be honest, I believe that Mathurin is a better fit for New York than Ivey. At six-foot-six with a six-foot-nine wingspan, his athleticism paired alongside RJ Barrett would light MSG on fire.
Not to mention, Mathurin is from Montreal. Remember what happened last time the Knicks chose a Canadian native with their lottery pick? New York’s now trying to build its future around that particular player. Leon Rose, I trust your decision-making. If Mathurin’s there, snag him.
Fans can watch Mathurin try to lead Arizona to the Elite Eight over Houston on Thursday at 9:59 p.m. ET on TBS.
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