SCOTTSDALE β While Dalen Terry danced, Bennedict Mathurin cried.
Both former Arizona Wildcats experienced life-changing moments Thursday night as first-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, while former teammate Christian Koloko was picked high in the second round (33rd overall) by Toronto.
Seconds after the Indiana Pacers made him the sixth pick, Mathurin hugged his mom, plucked the "Domixworld" necklace out from under his suitcoat, then buried his head on his sister's shoulder, shut his eyes and cried.
"Domixworld" refers to the motivation that has driven Mathurin since his older brother, Dominique, died in 2014 after he was struck by a car while riding a bicycle in their native Montreal. Dominique was 15 and Benn was 12.
βMy brother is everything to me," Mathurin told ESPN shortly after being drafted. "Heβs the reason why I wake up every morning, and me wanting to be the best.β
After that emotional moment when he heard his name called, Mathurin wiped away his tears, hugged UA associate head coach Jack Murphy and took the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, pretty much on schedule.
The Pac-12 Player of the Year last season as a sophomore with the Wildcats, Mathurin had been widely projected to fall in the 5-7 range of Thursdayβs NBA Draft.
The news was cheered on enthusiastically by about 100 friends and family ofΒ Terry, who was hosting an NBA Draft party Thursday at Scottsdaleβs Lo-Loβs Chicken & Waffles.Β
The Chicago Bulls took Terry No. 18 overall, prompting an eruption of cheers, music and dancing inside Lo-Lo's, while former UA center Christian Koloko was expected to become a second-round pick later Thursday evening.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was on hand at Terryβs party, along with Wildcat players Kerr Kriisa, Azuolas Tubelis, Tautvilas Tubelis, Grant Weitman, Jordan Mains and Will Menaugh. Special assistant TJ Benson also attended.
Lloyd said he was thinking of going to New York to sit with Mathurin, but UA associate head coach Jack Murphy was already with Mathurin there, while assistant coach Steve Robinson opted to go to Los Angeles to be with Koloko at his draft party there.
βSo I thought it made sense for me to come up here,β Lloyd said, shortly after arriving at Lo-Loβs.
Terryβs father, Al, said Dalen set up his own draft party, booking Lo-Loβs, where Dalen Terry had signed an NIL deal last year. A corner of the restaurant featured a red carpet area, where Terry had βDTβ and NBA logos on the photography backdrop, an arrangement of lights and balloons that formed a βDT,β plus a red carpet decorated with gold stars on the carpet stating his attributes (βThat smileβ and βLead nation in assistβ among them).
Terry said his decision to turn pro rather than return for his junior season came down to confidence.
It "came down to the wire honestly, but then I just bet on myself," he said. "Honestly, it was just like it didn't matter what (number) pick it was. I just knew β¦ I'm gonna go first round."
With Indiana, Mathurin is expected to join a well-regarded backcourt that includes Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Halliburton and former Oregon wing Chris Duarte.
"I'm pretty excited, to be honest," Mathurin said in his Barclays Center media interview. "Tomorrow I'm going to wake up and be a Pacer. Just having the chance to play with Tyrese, Chris and the other guys on the team is going to be fun.
"Tyrese likes to pass the ball. He can really pass the ball. He's a great teammate, as well. I'm really looking forward to playing with them and just having fun playing the game."
Mathurin said he would bring his "heart" to the Pacers.
"I'm really fortunate for them to draft me," he said. "My goal is to have an impact already on both ends of the floor and bring W's to the team."
As the No. 6 pick, the fifth-highest draft pick ever taken out of Arizona, Mathurin is slotted for a guaranteed two-year contract worth at least $11 million. Terry's No. 18 slot means he will receive a two-year deal worth about $6 million.
A native of Montreal, Mathurin also spent two seasons at the NBA Academy Latin America before joining the Wildcats in 2020-21. Mathurin became the second NBA Academies alum taken and highest ever, after Josh Giddey of the NBA Academy of Australia went No. 6 last season.
"The NBA Academy helped me a lot," Mathurin said. "Just getting used to the NBA lifestyle basically, just living by myself. I come from Montreal. For the team, I lived in MeΜxico for two years. Learned a new language, new culture, started eating tacos and stuff.
"I feel like it really prepared me. Just living by myself and being a grown-up at a young age, basically."
Measured at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds during the NBA Combine, Mathurin averaged 17.7 points while shooting 36.9% from 3-point range in 2021-22. He started 12 of 26 games as a freshman in 2020-21, averaging 10.8 points while shooting 41.8% from 3.
Terry tested the draft while keeping open the option to return to Arizona but appeared to rise through the predraft process, and announced on May 31 he would not return to school. Terry did not participate in the NBA Combine drills or games but impressed NBA scouts with interviews and measurements, coming in at 6-foot-7 and 195 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan.
Terry worked out privately for about 15 NBA teams, according to his father. While Terry averaged only 8.0 points a game for the Wildcats last season, he made the Pac-12βs all-defense team and was known as a do-everything guard who also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while posting a nearly a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Terry said he "had a feeling" he was going to Chicago after he worked out for them.
"I know they want me to be me," he said.
Koloko, meanwhile, was the Pac-12βs Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game in 2021-22. Known for his rim-protection and ability to defend all the way to the perimeter, Koloko measured at exactly 7 feet (with shoes) and weighed 221 at the NBA Combine.
Photos: New Bull Dalen Terry celebrates NBA Draft selection with Scottsdale bash
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UpdatedFrom A(renas) to Z(eke), here's every Arizona Wildcat taken in the NBA Draft since 1988
1988
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Danny Manning, power forward, KansasΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Tom Tolbert (1st round, 34th overall, Charlotte Hornets)
- Steve KerrΒ (2nd round, 50th overall, Phoenix Suns)
Β
1989
UpdatedPicking first:Β Sacramento KingsΒ
Their selection:Β Pervis Ellison, forward/center, LouisvilleΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Sean ElliottΒ (1st round, 3rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)Β
- Anthony CookΒ (1st round, 24th overall, Phoenix Suns)
1990
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Jersey NetsΒ
Their selection:Β Derrick Coleman, forward/center, SyracuseΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jud BuechlerΒ (2nd round, 38th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)
1991
UpdatedPicking first:Β Charlotte HornetsΒ
Their selection:Β Larry Johnson, forward, UNLVΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Brian Williams (Bison Dele) (1st round, 10th overall, Orlando Magic)
1992
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Shaquille O'Neal, center, LSUΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Sean RooksΒ (2nd round, 30th overall, Dallas Mavericks)
He said it:Β "By then I was disappointed. I was just happy to find I was going somewhere. I thought (being a first-round pick) was a given. I was told I was projected to go between 19-24. Today was not what I had anticipated." βΒ Rooks
1993
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Chris Webber, center/forward, MichiganΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Chris MillsΒ (1st round, 22nd overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Ed StokesΒ (2nd round, 35th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it:Β "I was back there wondering, 'Where am I going to go?' I guess I'll have to (work hard and) let those teams that passed on me know they made a mistake." β Mills
1994
UpdatedPicking first:Β Milwaukee BucksΒ
Their selection:Β Glenn Robinson, forward, PurdueΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Khalid Reeves (1st round, 12th overall, Miami Heat)
He said it:Β "I see myself playing both (guard) positions. I think I'm equally gifted playing both positions. I'm just glad to be on the court doing the things I love to do β creating shots for others and creating them for myself." β Reeves
1995
UpdatedPicking first:Β Golden State WarriorsΒ
Their selection:Β Joe Smith, forward/center, MarylandΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Damon Stoudamire (1st round, 7th overall, Toronto Raptors)
He said it:Β "I'm just happy to be with Toronto and Isiah Thomas. I want to make the most of it. The style they want to bring to the league β run and gun β fits me." β Stoudamire
Β
1996
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Allen Iverson, guard, GeorgetownΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Joseph BlairΒ (2nd round, 35th overall, Seattle SuperSonics)Β
- Ben DavisΒ (2nd round, 43rd overall, Phoenix Suns)Β
- Reggie Geary (2nd round, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it:Β "The only comment I have is that I'm disappointed with the NBA," said Geary, who had productive workouts with Detroit and the Los Angeles Lakers. "I'm disappointed with the system. It's too bad that I had to go through all of this. But at the same time, I'm thankful for the Cavaliers giving me the opportunity." β Geary
Β
1997
UpdatedPicking first:Β San Antonio SpursΒ
Their selection:Β Tim Duncan, forward/center, Wake Forest Β
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β NoneΒ
1998
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Michael Olowokandi, center, University of the PacificΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Mike BibbyΒ (1st round, 2nd overall, Vancouver Grizzlies)
- Michael Dickerson (1st round, 14th overall, Houston Rockets)Β
- Miles Simon (2nd round, 42nd overall, Orlando Magic)
He said it:Β "It was a great feeling, one I can't say I've ever had. The crowd made me feel like they wanted me. I'm going to try to get them happy and get the job done." βΒ Bibby
Β
1999
UpdatedPicking first:Β Chicago BullsΒ
Their selection:Β Elton Brand, forward/center, DukeΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jason TerryΒ (1st round, 10th overall, Atlanta Hawks)
- A.J. BramlettΒ (2nd round, 39th overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
He said it:Β "You look at their roster and Anthony Johnson is the only other point guard they have. I'll come in, work hard, and hopefully, I'll get the job." β Terry
Β
2000
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Jersey NetsΒ
Their selection:Β Kenyon Martin, center/forward, CincinnatiΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2001
UpdatedPicking first:Β Washington WizardsΒ
Their selection:Β Kwame Brown, forward/center, Glynn Academy High SchoolΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Richard JeffersonΒ (1st round, 13th overall, Houston Rockets)
- Gilbert ArenasΒ (2nd round, 30th overall, Golden State Warriors)Β
- Michael WrightΒ (2nd round, 38th overall, New York Knicks)
- Loren WoodsΒ (2nd round, 45th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it:Β "Iβve seen a million things happen on draft day, enough to know not to be sitting, waiting, and expecting the first team you go to to be the team you are playing for," β Jefferson, the only one of the four UA draft-eligible players to go in the first round.
Β
2002
UpdatedPicking first:Β Houston RocketsΒ
Their selection:Β Yao Ming, center, ChinaΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2003
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β LeBron James, forward, St. Vincent-St. Mary High SchoolΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Luke WaltonΒ (2nd round, 32nd overall, Los Angeles Lakers)
He said it:Β "I grew up when my dad was playing for the Celtics, and we used to root for the Celtics, but since I've gotten older, I've loved to watch the Lakers play. It's just an amazing feeling right now. It's hard to describe, but it's what I've been dreaming about since I was a kid." β Walton
Β
2004
UpdatedPicking first:Β Orlando MagicΒ
Their selection:Β Dwight Howard, center, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy High School
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Andre Iguodala (1st round, 9th overall, Philadelphia 76ers)
He said it:Β "Josh Childress and I were talking on the way over here, and we didn't know where we'd get picked. I thought I'd go a little higher, but I'm just happy and thankful I got picked." β Iguodala
Β
2005
UpdatedPicking first:Β Milwaukee BucksΒ
Their selection:Β Andrew Bogut, forward/center, UtahΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Channing FryeΒ (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Salim StoudamireΒ (2nd round, 31st overall, Atlanta Hawks)
He said it:Β "Where else better to start out than in New York. If you can play here, you can play anywhere. ... I know what it means to come to a tradition, being from Arizona. I have so much respect for Madison Square Garden. Every time I came here to play I would kiss the floor to honor my grandfather. He was a big Knicks fan." β Frye
Β
2006
UpdatedPicking first:Β Toronto RaptorsΒ
Their selection:Β Andrea Bargnani, forward/center, ItalyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Hassan Adams (2nd round, 54th overall, New Jersey Nets)
Β
2007
UpdatedPicking first:Β Portland Trail BlazersΒ
Their selection:Β Greg Oden, center, Ohio StateΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Marcus Williams (2nd round, 33rd overall, San Antonio Spurs)
He said it:Β Williams said he was "happy" with the pick, though he declined further comment.
Β
2008
UpdatedPicking first:Β Chicago BullsΒ
Their selection:Β Derrick Rose, guard, MemphisΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jerryd BaylessΒ (1st round, 11th overall, Indiana Pacers)
He said it:Β "I'm excited for the opportunity. Obviously, I wasn't waiting. I didn't know I was going to be left (undrafted) that long. But there's an opportunity there and I'm going to a good team that needs a couple of good parts to win. I'm really excited to be playing with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy and all those great players they already have there." β Bayless
Β
2009
UpdatedPicking first:Β Los Angeles ClippersΒ
Their selection:Β Blake Griffin, forward, OklahomaΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Jordan HillΒ (1st round, 8th overall, New York Knicks)
- Chase BudingerΒ (2nd round, 44th overall, Detroit Pistons)
He said it:Β "It's definitely a good fit for me. It's an up-tempo game and I run the floor like no other. I just love to run the floor and try to get open for an easy dunk or whatever. So definitely, it's definitely a good fit." β Hill
Β
2010
UpdatedPicking first:Β Washington WizardsΒ
Their selection:Β John Wall, guard, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2011
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Kyrie Irving, guard, DukeΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Derrick WilliamsΒ (1st round, 2nd overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)
He said it:Β "I want to be there. I want to make that team better, that whole franchise. I want to get them from a losing record to a winning record. That's my job, and that's why they chose me. So we'll see what they do with it. But I want to stay." β Williams
Β
2012
UpdatedPicking first:Β New Orleans HornetsΒ
Their selection:Β Anthony Davis, forward/center, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2013
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Anthony Bennett, forward, UNLVΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Solomon HillΒ (1st round, 23rd overall, Indiana Pacers)
- Grant JerrettΒ (2nd round, 40th overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it:Β "Definitely, that's a huge thing that goes on now β potential vs. being an older guy. But one thing is that I am an older guy who can contribute right away and try to develop. My goal is to be prepared for that opportunity and do it every year." β Hill
Β
2014
UpdatedPicking first:Β Cleveland CavaliersΒ
Their selection:Β Andrew Wiggins, forward, KansasΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Aaron GordonΒ (1st round, 4th overall, Orlando Magic)
- Nick Johnson (2nd round, 42nd overall, Houston Rockets)
He said it:Β "It represents how wide I want the fans' eyes to be when they're watching us play," Gordon, on changing his jersey number from 11 to 00 in his transition to the NBA
Β
2015
UpdatedPicking first:Β Minnesota TimberwolvesΒ
Their selection:Β Karl-Anthony Towns, center, KentuckyΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Stanley JohnsonΒ (1st round, 8th overall, Detroit Pistons)
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (1st round, 23rd overall, Portland Trail Blazers)
He said it:Β "In my opinion, everyone has a job. A lot of stuff in the media is to get a headline, get a story and attention. I said it before: I thought I was the best player in the draft. Nothing against Justise (Winslow) β he's one of my friends β that's just what my mentality is like. I think the Pistons made the best decision. The media has a job to do so they're going to gas it up. I know (Detroit) went with who they thought was the best." β Johnson
Β
2016
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Ben Simmons, forward, LSUΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None Β
2017
UpdatedPicking first:Β Philadelphia 76ersΒ
Their selection:Β Markelle Fultz, guard, WashingtonΒ
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Lauri MarkkanenΒ (1st round, 7th overall, Minnesota Timberwolves. Draft rights traded to the Chicago Bulls)
- Kadeem AllenΒ (2nd round, 53rd overall, Boston Celtics)
He said it:Β "Iβm just happy to be here and just glad to be involved in it. Iβm just honored if some team, organization, includes me in trades. β¦Β Iβm really honored to be part of this organization, and canβt wait to go there and do what I can. Itβs just a blessing to be (a Bull). And of course with Michael Jordan, greatest player ever to play, itβs huge to be a part of it.β β Markkanen
Β
2018
UpdatedPicking first:Β Phoenix Suns
Their selection:Β Deandre Ayton, forward, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Deandre AytonΒ (1st round, 1st overall, Phoenix Suns)
He said it:Β Β βDeandre is a special player and we are thrilled to welcome him home to Phoenix. It is extremely rare for a player with his size, length and athleticism to be able to not only finish around the rim but also step away from the basket and make shots. ... In addition, he has strong ties to this area and we canβt wait to see him in a Suns uniform.β β Suns GMΒ Ryan McDonoughΒ
2019
UpdatedPicking first: New Orleans Pelicans
Their selection: Zion Williamson, forward, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None
2020
UpdatedPicking first: Minnesota Timberwolves
Their selection: Anthony Edwards, forward, Georgia
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
- Josh Green (1st round, 18th overall, Dallas Mavericks)
- Zeke Nnaji (1st round, 22nd overall, Denver Nuggets)
- Nico Mannion (2nd round, 48th overall, Golden State Warriors)
He said it: "It's a star-struck moment. I think it's one of those moments, you don't know what emotion to really express. Being with my family, it's awesome. It's something I dreamed of during my whole entire life. For it to really happen is amazing. Obviously, it would have been cool to be in person, but this will never happen again." β Green
2021
UpdatedPicking first: Detroit Pistons
Their selection: Cade Cunningham, guard, Oklahoma State
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β None
2022
UpdatedPicking first: Orlando Magic
Their selection: Paolo Banchero, guard, Duke
Arizona Wildcats selected:Β
β’ Bennedict Mathurin (1st round, 6th overall, Indiana Pacers)
β’ Dalen Terry (1st round, 18th overall, Chicago Bulls)
β’ Christian Koloko (2nd round, 33rd overall, Toronto Raptors)