Habs fan Mathurin makes memorable entrance

MONTREAL -- Rookie sensation Bennedict Mathurin went viral last Saturday night before even hitting the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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The Indiana Pacers' standout was photographed wearing a Canadiens jersey entering the arena ahead of a matchup against the Orlando Magic, and subsequent social media posts received plenty of love on Twitter and Instagram.
The 20-year-old Montreal North native requested the jersey from his Adidas representative, who kindly obliged to help him show his genuine appreciation for his hometown team.

"I've been a fan since I was a kid. I grew up playing hockey, so I remember my mom telling me that she wanted me to play for the Canadiens," said Mathurin, the sixth-overall pick in June after two seasons at the University of Arizona.
Long before he was going head-to-head with the best in the NBA and averaging an impressive 19.4 points per game, Mathurin was a defenseman. He admired the dynamic play of Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban and the relentlessness of winger Brendan Gallagher.
The 2022 Pac-12 Player of the Year has some fun memories of his hockey playing days in Quebec, even though he admittedly struggled with one particularly important skill.
"I was a pretty good player. I skated pretty fast, and I was pretty tall and strong, but I just didn't know how to slow down with my skates, so I used to go into the glass every time because I couldn't stop," recalled Mathurin. "I even broke the glass one time in Bantam. I shattered it."

Photo credit: Michael Hickey / Getty Images
Cole Caufield is his favorite player now.
After the jersey post was shared, Mathurin was thrilled to receive a message from the young sharpshooter praising his choice of game-day attire.
The question is, will we see another Habs-themed entrance from the Pacers' star in the near future? Absolutely, especially with two Torontonians on the roster in Oshae Brissett and Andrew Nembhard.
"They're saying they'll rock Maple Leafs jerseys because I'm rocking the Canadiens jersey," mentioned Mathurin with a laugh.
Mathurin and fellow Montrealer Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder also go head-to-head on January 18 and March 31, so we could see some major Habs swag to mark those occasions, too.

In the meantime, Mathurin will continue loving life in the Hoosier State.
The Pacers even surprised him with a home-cooked Haitian meal last month prepared by his mom, Elvie, and his sister, Jenn.
"That was big time. I'm so blessed with this opportunity. I hadn't eaten my mom's food in like four years," praised Mathurin, who left home at age 16 to pursue basketball at the NBA Academy in Mexico City. "It was a great experience."
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And he couldn't be happier to continue representing the 514 every day south of the border.
Mathurin hopes his path will encourage others to follow in his footsteps.
"It was a big start being drafted. It was a great day for me, but also for the culture and the community of Montreal. It opened doors," concluded Mathurin. "I hope that kids in the future can do the same thing as me."
Cover photo credit: Indiana Pacers