Bennedict Mathurin and his sister Jenn receiving the National Assembly Medal of Quebec during Bennedict’s third annual basketball camp in Montreal was not just a ceremony or a gesture of recognition, but a deeply meaningful moment that tied together sports, family, culture, and community. For Bennedict, now an established NBA player known for his explosiveness, his scoring ability, and his dedication to representing his roots proudly, the moment reflected far more than personal success. It represented the journey he and his sister have shared, the resilience they demonstrated after personal tragedy, and the impact they continue to make both on and off the court.
Bennedict Mathurin’s rise has been one of determination and inspiration. Growing up in Montreal, he was immersed in a sports culture that wasn’t traditionally dominated by basketball. While hockey has long been Canada’s most celebrated sport, the rise of players like Mathurin has slowly been changing the narrative, showing that basketball talent can thrive in Quebec and across the country. But Bennedict’s story is not simply about being an athlete from Canada who made it to the NBA—it’s about overcoming challenges that could have derailed him, about leaning on family, and about carrying his community with him as he reached the highest levels of the game. The recognition from the National Assembly of Quebec acknowledges not only his achievements on the hardwood, but also the resilience and character he has shown in navigating his path.
The presence of his sister Jenn during this moment makes it even more significant. Jenn has been a guiding force in Bennedict’s life, especially after the heartbreaking loss of their older brother, who died in a tragic accident when Bennedict was still very young. That event shaped the Mathurin siblings in profound ways. Jenn, who is older than Bennedict, stepped into a leadership role in the family, and her guidance helped Bennedict stay focused when his world could have easily fallen apart. For him, she has not only been a sister but also a role model and, at times, a parental figure. Their bond is one of shared strength and resilience, something that the National Assembly Medal implicitly honors by recognizing both siblings together.
The National Assembly Medal of Quebec is not handed out lightly. It is a symbol of distinction awarded to individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society or who have demonstrated qualities that bring pride to the province. In the case of Bennedict and Jenn, the medal is about more than personal accolades—it highlights the importance of perseverance, of giving back, and of being ambassadors for Quebec on a larger stage. By presenting the medal during Bennedict’s basketball camp in Montreal, the Assembly ensured that the moment was not just about recognizing one man or one family, but about showing the youth of Montreal what is possible when dedication meets opportunity.
Bennedict’s camp itself is a story worth telling. Now in its third year, the camp has become a summer tradition for many young basketball players in Montreal. It gives aspiring athletes a chance to learn from Bennedict himself, someone who grew up in the same city and on the same streets as they did. For these kids, Bennedict is not an unattainable superstar living in some distant NBA world—he is a local success story who is accessible, someone who speaks their language and understands their environment. The camp offers drills, coaching, and mentorship, but it also offers inspiration. It tells these young players that they can aim high, that basketball is a viable path, and that they, too, can put Quebec on the global basketball map.
During this third edition of the camp, when Bennedict and Jenn stood together to receive their medals, the symbolism was impossible to ignore. The medals were not just for basketball or for professional accomplishments. They were for the example they have set in living lives shaped by adversity yet defined by resilience. Jenn’s role is particularly notable because it underscores the importance of family and support systems in any success story. While Bennedict’s name is the one that fans chant in NBA arenas, Jenn has been the steady presence that kept him grounded. In honoring both of them, the Assembly effectively told the world that behind every successful athlete, there are loved ones who make sacrifices and contributions that are often unseen.
The Montreal community responded warmly to the event, with parents, players, and fans alike celebrating the recognition. For many, seeing a local athlete earn such distinction reinforces pride in their city and their culture. Quebec has long fought to preserve and highlight its identity within Canada, and seeing one of its own excel on a global stage is both unifying and uplifting. By honoring Bennedict and Jenn, the National Assembly also made a statement about the values it wishes to promote—values of perseverance, family, service, and community impact.
It is also worth noting how rare it is for a young athlete to receive such recognition so early in their career. Bennedict is still only in the beginning stages of what could be a long and successful NBA journey. Yet, his influence in Quebec is already strong enough to merit a medal that often goes to individuals with decades of contributions behind them. This demonstrates how much impact he has already made, not just through basketball highlights, but through his commitment to giving back. His camp is one example, but so too are his constant public statements about his pride in being from Montreal, about speaking French as part of his identity, and about carrying Quebec with him wherever he goes.
The ceremony also speaks to the evolving narrative of basketball in Canada. Just over a decade ago, Canadian players were far less visible in the NBA. Today, stars like Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Andrew Wiggins have put Canada firmly on the basketball map. Bennedict Mathurin is part of that wave, but he is particularly important because of his roots in Quebec, a province that has not historically been a basketball powerhouse. His success, and the recognition from the National Assembly, might well serve as a catalyst for a new generation of players from Montreal and beyond, further diversifying the Canadian basketball pipeline.
Jenn’s recognition also sends an important message about the role of women in sports and in family leadership. While Bennedict’s name will always be the one in the headlines, Jenn’s story is equally vital. Her sacrifices, her role in guiding her younger brother, and her resilience in the face of loss are qualities that the Assembly deemed worthy of honor. This not only highlights the importance of support systems but also elevates Jenn as an example to young women about leadership, influence, and strength.
Moments like this go beyond the individual and resonate deeply with entire communities. For the kids at the camp, witnessing their hero receive such an honor in their presence is something they will remember forever. It shows them that hard work and perseverance are recognized and celebrated, and it gives them a role model to emulate. For the broader Montreal community, it underscores the growing importance of basketball in the city’s culture and the pride that comes with seeing one of their own celebrated on such a scale.
For Bennedict and Jenn, the medals are likely to hold deep personal meaning. They represent the journey from childhood dreams on the courts of Montreal to international recognition on the NBA stage, a journey marked by loss, perseverance, and family unity. They symbolize not just what has been accomplished, but what is possible. For Bennedict, every time he steps on the court in an NBA game, he carries his city, his province, and his family with him. The National Assembly Medal makes that responsibility even more tangible, affirming that his success belongs not only to him, but to everyone he represents.
As Bennedict continues his NBA career, the medal will serve as a reminder of where he came from and who he represents. For Jenn, it is recognition that her story, though less visible, is just as powerful. And for Quebec, it is an opportunity to celebrate a homegrown success story while encouraging future generations to dream big. In honoring the Mathurin siblings together, the National Assembly did more than celebrate athletic talent—it celebrated resilience, family, culture, and community. It celebrated the idea that greatness does not emerge in isolation, but through bonds of love, sacrifice, and shared determination.
In the end, the image of Bennedict and Jenn receiving their medals side by side at a basketball camp filled with young Montrealers is one that encapsulates the best of what sports and recognition can achieve. It brought together the past, the present, and the future—their shared past shaped by tragedy and resilience, Bennedict’s present as a rising NBA star, and the future of Montreal basketball represented by the kids at the camp. It was not simply a medal ceremony; it was a story of hope, pride, and the enduring power of family and community.
The medals shine as symbols, but their true meaning lies in the inspiration they generate. For Bennedict and Jenn, the recognition confirms their journey has meaning beyond themselves. For Montreal and Quebec, it cements basketball’s place in the cultural fabric and demonstrates the pride of seeing one of their own succeed. And for every young player at that camp, it whispers a powerful message: you, too, can achieve greatness, and when you do, you will not walk alone.
