3 NBA Draft prospects to watch in the Sweet 16 of March Madness

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Bennedict Mathurin #0 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after dunking the ball during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3 NBA Draft prospects to watch in the Sweet 16 of March Madness: Benedict Mathurin, Arizona

Most mock drafts have Benedict Mathurin getting selected around the 11th or 12th overall pick in the NBA draft. He’s a bonafide lottery selection, and it’s not hard to see why.

At 6’6”, the 19-year-old sophomore has led the Arizona Wildcats to a great season. He’s been their leading scorer both in the regular season and through March Madness so far.

In 36 regular-season games (32.3 minutes per game), Mathurin averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from behind the three-point line.

And while his shooting splits are down a bit through the first two games of March Madness, he’s averaged 24.0 points a night, which is tied for the eighth-most in the entire tournament.

This includes a massive 30-point performance in the second round against the TCU Horned Frogs. He added eight rebounds and four assists in that game, leading the Wildcats to a hard-fought overtime win.

Mathurin’s offensive game has taken a massive leap this season and it’s one of the main reasons why he’s jumped up in the mock drafts. His scoring and ability to shoot the ball are pivotal skills and should translate perfectly to the NBA level.

While there are some slight concerns about his defensive game, his build and frame leave a lot of hope for him to improve on that end. Keep an eye on Mathurin for the rest of March Madness.