Mathurin wins MVP as Team Jalen takes Rising Stars

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams made the game-winning three to seal Team Jalen's 26-13 win over Team Detlef at the NBA's Rising Stars competition Friday.

Indiana Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin was named the competition's MVP in front of his home crowd. He dropped four points in the final contest and 18 points in the first game against Team Tamika.

Team Detlef, mainly comprised of players from the G League, beat a Team Pau squad featuring rookies Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. 41-36 to reach the final.

Mathurin is the third Canadian player to win Rising Stars MVP, following in the footsteps of Andrew Wiggins (2015) and Jamal Murray (2017), according to TSN's Keerthika Uthayakumar.

The Pacers wing appeared to have fun in the first contest, dismissing Detroit Pistons guard and Indiana native Jaden Ivey's ability to guard him. He also blew a $25,000 bet with Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero by failing to win the game at the free-throw line.

Indiana basketball legends Jalen Rose and Tamika Catchings served as honorary coaches for the event. They were joined by Pau Gasol and Detlef Schrempf.