Bennedict Mathurin finishes fourth in Rookie of the Year voting with 19 votes for Indiana Pacers

Mathurin averaged 16.7 points per game as a rookie

Indiana Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin finished fourth in 2022-23 Rookie of the Year voting, the NBA announced.

The league shared the top vote getters and winner of the award on Tuesday, with Mathurin being among them. To end up fourth, Mathurin received 19 votes — four second-place votes and 15 third-place votes.

The 2022 sixth overall pick averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game during his first NBA season. He finished second in scoring amongst the 2022 draftees in points while ranking eighth in both rebounds and assists.

What set Mathurin apart from most rookies was his ability to get to the foul line. He averaged 5.8 free throw attempts per game, which ranked 21st in the NBA, and his free throw attempt rate of .477 ranked 13th in the entire league, one spot ahead of the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero.

In the end, it was Banchero who ended up winning the Rookie of the Year honors. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for the Magic this season and showed that he already can be a primary scorer in the NBA.

---

Behind Banchero but still ahead of Mathurin were Jalen Williams from Oklahoma City and Walker Kessler from Utah.

Early in the season, it looked like Mathurin could be the frontrunner for the award, now called the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy. He averaged 19.2 points per game through the end of November and won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month to start off the season.

But as the campaign progressed, Mathurin's shooting accuracy faded somewhat, and teams learned how to defend him better. Meanwhile, Banchero began to ascend for Orlando, who nearly caught Indiana in the standings.

At the same time, Kessler found his groove as one of the league's best rim protectors for the Jazz while Williams blossomed for the Thunder. Mathurin slowly fell behind that field despite remaining a force for the Pacers.

Given these results, it is fair to assume that the voting for All-Rookie teams will look similar and that Mathurin will land on the first team. Chris Duarte landed on the second team for Indiana last season.

The Pacers have only ever finished with one Rookie of the Year when Chuck Person won the hardware in 1987. Indiana could have another top pick in the 2023 draft, and that player will give them another chance at a high finisher in the award voting.

Mathurin also received two third-place votes for Sixth Man of the Year. He had a strong first season and should be a key part of Indiana's plans going forward.

---

• Tyrese Haliburton is a partner with the Indiana Pacers franchise, and the team doesn't think a contract extension will be complicated. CLICK HERE.
• Who are the Indiana Pacers free agents in 2023? CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers exit interviews: Andrew Nembhard just wanted to come in and get better. He did that and more. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers win random draft drawing over Washington Wizards, see unwelcomed results elsewhere. CLICK HERE.
• Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
• Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers