Keith Benson
![]() Benson with Oakland in 2009 | |
No. 34 – Eisbären Bremerhaven | |
---|---|
Position | Center / Power forward |
League | Basketball Bundesliga |
Personal information | |
Born | Cleveland, Ohio | August 13, 1988
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills, Michigan) |
College | Oakland (2007–2011) |
NBA draft | 2011: 2nd round, 48th overall pick |
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks | |
Playing career | 2011–present |
Career history | |
2011 | Dinamo Sassari |
2012 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
2012 | Golden State Warriors |
2012–2013 | Erie BayHawks |
2013 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters |
2013 | Erie BayHawks |
2013–2014 | Tsmoki-Minsk |
2014 | Shaanxi Xinda |
2014–2015 | Neptūnas Klaipėda |
2015 | Kalev/Cramo |
2015–2017 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
2017 | Guizhou |
2017 | Aris Thessaloniki |
2018 | Osaka Evessa |
2018–present | Eisbären Bremerhaven |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Keith Anderson Benson Jr. (born August 13, 1988)[1][2] is an American professional basketball player for Eisbären Bremerhaven of the German Basketball Bundesliga. He played college basketball for Oakland University. A 6-foot-11 center, Benson was a second-round pick (48th overall) in the 2011 NBA draft, selected by the Atlanta Hawks. He has since played in Italy, Philippines, Belarus, China, Lithuania, Estonia and the NBA Development League.
High school career
Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Benson attended Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan.[1][3] On the Detroit Country Day basketball team, Benson averaged only 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a senior.[4] Benson initially committed to Fairfield, but changed his mind after a coaching change and committed to Oakland after they offered him a scholarship.[5]
College career
After redshirting his first year at Oakland, Benson became a starter for the 2007–08 season. Benson started 20 of the team's 29 games and averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.[6] He finished the season with 40 blocks—one shy of Oakland's single-season record.[7] However, he was benched prior to the conference tournament because OU's head coach, Greg Kampe, felt Benson was not playing good enough defense.[7]
At the conclusion of his redshirt junior season, Benson received the Lou Henson Award, given to the "mid-major player of the year".[8] Benson was also named the Summit League Player of the Year.[9] Benson declared himself eligible for the 2010 NBA draft,[10] but withdrew himself after he was unable to work out with NBA teams due to an injured right thumb.[11]
Benson earned a Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree with a minor in art history from Oakland in August 2010, prior to his redshirt senior season.[12] During his senior season in 2010–11, Benson enrolled in master's-level architecture courses in Oakland.[11] In basketball, he set the Summit League's record for career blocks.[13] He broke the record of 317, set by Keith Closs of Central Connecticut State University from 1994–96.[14] Benson was named the Summit League's Player of the Year for the second consecutive season in 2011.
Professional career
2011–12 season
After being projected as a late-second round pick,[15] Benson was selected with the 18th pick of the second round (48th overall) by the Atlanta Hawks.[16] Benson is the first player ever from Oakland University selected in the NBA draft.[16] In August 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Dinamo Basket Sassari in Italy's Serie A League, which included an opt-out clause upon the conclusion of the 2011 NBA lockout,[17] but he left the team in October 2011.[18]
Once the lockout ended, Benson played in the Hawks' two preseason games and was waived before the beginning of the regular season.[19]
On January 26, 2012, the Sioux Falls Skyforce acquired Benson out of the D-League player pool.[20] On March 24, he signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors.[21] Benson appeared in only three regular-season games with the Warriors, missing his only shot attempt, and grabbing three rebounds.
2012–13 season
In September 2012, Benson joined the Atlanta Hawks after playing with their summer league team.[22] He was waived by the team on October 11, 2012.[23]
On November 3, 2012, Benson was re-acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce.[24] However, on November 5, the Skyforce traded him to the Erie BayHawks for Mike Davis.[25] Benson was bought out by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of Manila, Philippines.
The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters[26] selected Benson as an import for the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association's Commissioner's Cup. He was replaced midseason by Donnell Harvey. In March 2013, he returned to the BayHawks.
2013–14 season
In July 2013, Benson played for the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Bobcats during the 2013 NBA Summer League. Later that year, he joined Tsmoki-Minsk of Belarus for the 2013–14 season.
2014–15 season
In July 2014, Benson joined the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On August 1, 2014, Benson signed with Banvit in Turkey.[27] On September 20, 2014, he parted ways with Banvit.[28] On October 31, 2014, he signed with Neptūnas of Lithuania for the rest of the 2014–15 season.[29] On February 27, 2015, he left Neptūnas and signed with BC Kalev/Cramo of Estonia.[30]
2015–16 season
In July 2015, Benson joined the Orlando Magic for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[31] On August 25, 2015, he signed with the Miami Heat.[32] However, he was later waived by the Heat on October 24 after appearing in five preseason games.[33][34] On November 2, he was reacquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce as an affiliate player of the Heat.[35] After averaging 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in 27 games for the Skyforce, he was named in the East All-Star team for the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game on February 5, as a replacement for the injured Jordan Mickey.[36] He helped the Skyforce finish with a D-League-best 40–10 record in 2015–16, and went on to help the team win the league championship with a 2–1 Finals series win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[37]
2016–17 season
On September 23, 2016, Benson signed with the Miami Heat.[38] However, he was later waived by the Heat on October 18 after appearing in three preseason games.[39] On November 1, 2016, he was reacquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce.[40]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007–08 | Oakland | 29 | 20 | 13.4 | .505 | .000 | .667 | 3.5 | .1 | .2 | 1.4 | 5.2 |
2008–09 | Oakland | 36 | 36 | 27.8 | .622 | .000 | .667 | 7.8 | .7 | .6 | 2.4 | 14.3 |
2009–10 | Oakland | 35 | 35 | 31.3 | .533 | .400 | .724 | 10.5 | .8 | .4 | 3.3 | 17.3 |
2010–11 | Oakland | 35 | 35 | 32.4 | .547 | .391 | .643 | 10.1 | 1.1 | .8 | 3.6 | 17.9 |
NBA
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | Golden State | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Career | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Personal
Benson's mother Janice Ellen Hale is a professor of early childhood education at Wayne State University and founding director of the Institute for the Study of the African American Child at Wayne State.[41]
References
- ^ a b "34 Keith Benson". Oakland University. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Sports Unlimited » PBA Commissioner's Cup 2013 Imports". Sportsunli.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ "Keith Benson". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ Young, Justin (November 7, 2009). "Summit Preseason Player of the Year: Keith Benson". Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Kampe, Paul (January 22, 2011). "MEN'S BASKETBALL: Dedication makes Keith Benson a pillar of Oakland hoops". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Oakland Basketball Individual Career History BENSON, Keith" (PDF). Oakland University. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Pemberton, Doug (February 21, 2009). "Hard work pays off for OU's Benson". Oakland Press. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Benson Receives Lou Henson Award as Mid-Major Player of the Year". The Summit League. April 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). The Summit League. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Snyder, Mark (April 15, 2010). "Oakland's Keith Benson enters NBA draft". Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ a b Kampe, Paul (April 30, 2010). "Thumb injury forces Oakland center Keith Benson to withdraw from NBA Draft". The Oakland Press. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
- ^ "Final undergraduate school and graduate school reports: Summer II, 2010-August 21, 2010" (PDF). Oakland University. December 9, 2010. p. 11. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
- ^ "Oakland Ties League Win Streak Mark with Victory at South Dakota State". The Summit League. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Men's Basketball Record Book" (PDF). The Summit League. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Keith Benson summary". Draft Express. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Beard, Ron (June 24, 2011). "U-M's Darius Morris, Oakland's Keith Benson go in Round 2 of NBA draft". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Dinamo Sassari announces Keith Benson". sportando.com. August 18, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ "Dinamo Sassari officially replaces Keith Benson with Steven Hunter". sportando.com. October 30, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ Cunningham, Michael (December 23, 2011). "Atlanta Hawks: Hawks waive Sy, Wanamaker, Rolle (Update: Benson also released)". Blogs.ajc.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Skyforce Acquires Benson". Keloland.Com. January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "Warriors Sign Free Agent Center Keith Benson To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. March 24, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Hawks add James Anderson, Keith Benson, Damion James, Carldell Johnson, Anthony Tolliver to training camp". Inside Hoops. September 27, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Atlanta Hawks waive Keith Benson and Isma'il Muhammad". Inside Hoops. October 11, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Skyforce Announces 2012-13 Training Camp Invitees". NBA. October 31, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Skyforce Acquires Davis From BayHawks". NBA. November 5, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ Baguio, Nico (April 25, 2013). "Numerophilia Talk 'N Text and Ginebra clash in Comm. Cup semis". GMA News Online. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "Banvit bags big man Benson". Eurocup.com. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ^ "Banvit adds Vladimir Dragicevic, parts ways with Keith Benson". Sportando.com. September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
- ^ "Neptunas lands big man Benson". Euroleague.net. October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ^ "Keith Benson replaces Frank Elegar with Kalev/Cramo". Sportando.com. February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ "2015 Summer League Player Profile – Keith Benson". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ "HEAT Signs Keith Benson". NBA.com. August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "HEAT Waive Five Players". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ Winderman, Ira (October 24, 2015). "Heat cut five, roster down to 15-player regular-season limit". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ "Skyforce Announces 2015-16 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ "Keith Benson and Quinn Cook Named as All-Star Replacements". NBA.com. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Sioux Falls Skyforce Cap Historic Season with First NBA D-League". NBA.com. April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "HEAT Signs Keith Benson". NBA.com. September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ^ "HEAT Signs Luis Montero". NBA.com. October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Skyforce Announce 2016 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Janice Ellen Hale". Wayne State University College of Education. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
External links
- 1988 births
- Living people
- American expatriate basketball people in Belarus
- American expatriate basketball people in Germany
- American expatriate basketball people in Greece
- American expatriate basketball people in Italy
- American expatriate basketball people in Japan
- American expatriate basketball people in Lithuania
- American expatriate basketball people in the Philippines
- American men's basketball players
- Aris B.C. players
- Atlanta Hawks draft picks
- Basketball players from Michigan
- Basketball players from Ohio
- BC Kalev/Cramo players
- BC Neptūnas players
- BC Tsmoki-Minsk players
- Centers (basketball)
- Detroit Country Day School alumni
- Dinamo Basket Sassari players
- Eisbären Bremerhaven players
- Erie BayHawks (2008–2017) players
- Golden State Warriors players
- Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball players
- Osaka Evessa players
- People from Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Philippine Basketball Association imports
- Power forwards (basketball)
- Sioux Falls Skyforce players
- Sportspeople from Cleveland
- Sportspeople from Detroit
- TNT KaTropa players