So when Olaya talked to Mathurin that day, leading to a later offer from the NBA Academy Latin America, there was no reason to hesitate.

Never mind that it would represent a huge leap of faith both on and off the court. Mathurin was the Latin America programs first Canadian player. He spoke French, English and Creole but not Spanish.

It was hard, Mathurin said. People would try to talk to me and I couldnt understand but on the court, it was pretty easy.

When the coaches were talking, they were pointing with their fingers so I could understand. And a player translated for me, simple things like screen that I couldnt understand. I just had to learn to talk with people.

The 6-foot-6 Bennedict Mathurin is a four-star prospect.

Communication, in whatever form, was essential to make the most of Mathurins raw talent.

Mathurin says he helped his basketball footwork and IQ from playing quarterback for a youth football team in Montreal. But his experience with Canadas national winter sport was, well lets just say he was athletic and powerful back then, too.

Hockey was different, Mathurin said, chuckling. I was skating fast but I didnt know how to slow down, so I was always crashing into the glass.

The same concept applied, to some degree, once Mathurin arrived in Mexico City. Mathurin said his game was mostly about dunking and taking lobs and thats pretty much what his coaches saw.

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With late brother as both memory and motivation, Arizona Wildcats commit Bennedict Mathurin charts course for basketball future - Arizona Daily Star