We Got Next: A closer look at the NBA’s 5 newest stars

NBA: Bennedict Mathurin – Indiana Pacers

There is normally a learning curve for rookies in the NBA that prevents them from being trusted contributors on a nightly basis. However, every season there are a few exceptions to this rule, and this year Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers is among them.

Although the season is young, Mathurin is among the early Rookie of the Year candidates and is already being recognized for his contributions on the court. On December 1st, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month due to his averages of 19.2 points and 4 rebounds during the month of November.

Putting the ball in the basket has been a consistent theme for Mathurin this season. One of his most memorable performances came against the Brooklyn Nets in October when he helped offset the 35 points scored by Nets star Kyrie Irving by scoring 32 of his own. The Pacers would escape with a nine-point victory, largely due to the contributions of their star rookie.

At 6’6″ tall and weighing 210 lbs., Mathurin is the prototypical NBA shooting guard. However, his game is not solely predicated on size and athleticism. He is already knocking down 40 percent of his 3-point attempts, which is the mark of an elite outside shooter. If he continues at this rate, Mathurin could follow in the footsteps of Pacers legend Reggie Miller and become one of the premier shooting guards in the league.