INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin garnered Most Valuable Player honors for his performance in the NBA Rising Stars event Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In two games, Mathurin tallied 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. He also hit a game-winning shot for Team Jalen in the first round of the event.
This year’s Rising Stars event featured 21 NBA players and seven G Leaguers. The 21 NBA players were divided into three teams of seven, and the G Leaguers formed their own team.
Former Pacers Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf both coached in the event. Schrempf coached the G League team and Rose was on the sideline for Mathurin’s team.
Former Indiana Fever player and executive Tamika Catchings and two-time NBA Champion and six-time all-star Pau Gasol also coached during the event.
Team Jalen beat Team Tamika, 40-35, in the first round of the tournament-style event. Team Detlef downed Team Pau, 41-36, in the first round to earn a spot against Team Jalen in championship game.
Team Jalen beat team Detlef, 26-13, in the Rising Stars Championship Game.
Mathurin wasn’t the only Pacer to participate in the event. Oscar Tshiebwe, who plays for the Pacers’ G League team — the Mad Ants — was on team Detlef. Tshiebwe racked up 10 points and 10 rebounds in two games.
Another player who is familiar with the Hoosier State also competed in the Rising Stars event. Former Purdue guard Jaden Ivey had eight points, four steals and three rebounds in one game for Team Tamika.
All of Friday’s games were untimed, as teams played to a target score.
NBA All-Star Weekend will continue at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday night with the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest and other skill-based challenges.
The NBA All-Star Game will be played at 8 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
