Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin donates gear to youth in Haiti

Mathurin continues to connect with Haitians

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin is donating Adidas gear to over 300 Haitians. 

Today is Dessalines Day, a yearly cultural holiday celebrated in Haiti. It honors Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a critical figure in abolishing slavery in Haiti in the early 1800s.

Mathurin is donating the equipment via an event at the Barbancourt Foundation’s community facility in Haiti. 

"Supporting the Haitian community is important to me. I'm grateful to be working with the Barbancourt Foundation and Adidas to provide gear for youth in Haiti," Mathurin said in a statement. "And, to do it on a day that celebrates freedom is even more meaningful. This is just the beginning; I'm committed to making an impact in Haiti and elevating Haitians across the diaspora."

Mathurin has always been in touch with his Haitian roots. His mom flew into Indianapolis last year to cook him a Haitian meal at the Pacers facilities. "Ima be honest, I'm trying to eat as much Haitian food as I can in Indy," the second-year guard said on Tuesday.

"The main thing for me is to give back to the less fortunate," he added when asked about his donation today. "I'm from Haiti, so giving back to my community is obviously a great thing."

The event at the community facility will feature food, music and dancing on top of some basketball drills. Last year, Mathurin provided turkeys and gift cards to Haitian families around Thanksgiving.

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