2011 Draft Prospect: Keith Benson

[Bruno]

Height: 6-11
Weight: 225 lbs
Birthday: 08/13/1988
College: Oakland

DraftExpress
nbadraft

[8FOR!3]

I think he'd be a small reach with a first round pick, but he's got the potential and I think our coaching staff could do something with him.

[Darkwaters]

Definite reach in the first. But hes got a chance to go in the late 1st b/c of the relative weakness, especially in the big man realm.

Wouldn't be the end of the world to draft him though - especially if the staff likes him and other more interesting candidates are already gone.

[ChuckD]

Big men are frequently "reached" for in the draft. Not a crime at #30.

[tuncaboylu]

He would be a nice draft pick at #30.

[ChuckD]

he got dominated today .... pass

If he HAD dominated, SA would have no chance to get him. A lot of what happens in the tournament depends on your team mates, and Benson plays on a school team that's smaller than a mid major. I'm sure the opponent packed the lane.

[jjktkk]

If he HAD dominated, SA would have no chance to get him. A lot of what happens in the tournament depends on your team mates, and Benson plays on a school team that's smaller than a mid major. I'm sure the opponent packed the lane.

I watched the game and Texas's Thompson played Benson mostly 1 on 1. I'd still consider taking Benson, but hes raw.

[ChuckD]

I watched the game and Texas's Thompson played Benson mostly 1 on 1. I'd still consider taking Benson, but hes raw.

Every player available at 30 will have some issues with development, health, or size/athleticism.

[bluebellmaniac]

He'd be a project, but at least a project w the height we need. He'd spend 2 seasons in the D-League before he'd have a shot at cracking the big man depth charts... barring an injury. I think Splitter plays a much bigger role next year, making it tough for draftees to break into the big man depth chart.

That said, I'd prefer that if there isn't another gem that drops in the draft ala Blair, I'd rather we go foreign w a draft n stash than use up the roster spot for however long 1st round picks are guaranteed. Draft n stash allows much more flexibility with our roster spots.

[Bruno]

Per his twitter, Keith Benson worked out for Spurs today.

http://twitter.com/#!/KitoB34

[yavozerb]

Per his twitter, Keith Benson worked out for Spurs today.

http://twitter.com/#!/KitoB34

[dbestpro]

If he could consistantly hit the three he could be quite a find.

[ChuckD]

I dont see him as an NBA player, lacks desire, was dominated by bigger schools, no real post moves, very thin, plays soft, a great shot blocker at a low level but doesnt look like a natural timing type shot blocker.

Reminds me of a Kieth Closs.

Closs was like 7'3" 210, and an alcoholic to boot. Benson isn't ready, but he could get there in a few years.

[yavozerb]

I dont see him as an NBA player, lacks desire, was dominated by bigger schools, no real post moves, very thin, plays soft, a great shot blocker at a low level but doesnt look like a natural timing type shot blocker.

Reminds me of a Kieth Closs.

west virginia- 22 pts, 15 rbs, 2 blk
purdue- 16 pts, 14 rbs, 2 blk
Illinois- 11 pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Michigan state- 17pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Tenn.- 26 pts, 10rbs, 2 blk
Michigan- 11 pts, 7 rbs, 4 blk
Ohio state- 8 pts, 10 rbs, 1 blk
Texas- 15 pts, 11 rbs, 3 blk

, next time please do a little research about a player you obviously know nothing about..

[Master splitter]

Marcus camby

[SenorSpur]

west virginia- 22 pts, 15 rbs, 2 blk
purdue- 16 pts, 14 rbs, 2 blk
Illinois- 11 pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Michigan state- 17pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Tenn.- 26 pts, 10rbs, 2 blk
Michigan- 11 pts, 7 rbs, 4 blk
Ohio state- 8 pts, 10 rbs, 1 blk
Texas- 15 pts, 11 rbs, 3 blk

, next time please do a little research about a player you obviously know nothing about..

Thanks for posting these stats. That makes better sense. That video highlight certainly depicted a player that knew his way around the paint - on both ends of the court. While he's still raw and could probably use a year or two of seasoning, he certainly doesn't appear to be the garbage player that some have made him out to be.

It's good to see that he fared well against upper-echelon college compe ion. That, along with a good showing in workouts, should go a long way towards improving his draft stock.

Despite his apparent lack of strength, he's got good length and athleticism. The rebounding and shotblocking prowess alone is quite enticing - especially for a team like the Spurs, who are severely limited, along the frontline, in both areas.

[dbestpro]

west virginia- 22 pts, 15 rbs, 2 blk
purdue- 16 pts, 14 rbs, 2 blk
Illinois- 11 pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Michigan state- 17pts, 7rbs, 2blk
Tenn.- 26 pts, 10rbs, 2 blk
Michigan- 11 pts, 7 rbs, 4 blk
Ohio state- 8 pts, 10 rbs, 1 blk
Texas- 15 pts, 11 rbs, 3 blk

, next time please do a little research about a player you obviously know nothing about..

Burned, sizzled and charred.

[yavozerb]

I dont see him as an NBA player, lacks desire, was dominated by bigger schools, no real post moves, very thin, plays soft, a great shot blocker at a low level but doesnt look like a natural timing type shot blocker.

Reminds me of a Kieth Closs.

How many games did you see him play? I dont care if he drops 50 on Tenn second unit, he was dominated by just about every NBA cal post player he faced.

His timing for a shot blkr is not smooth. He is 22 already and is not likely to add much weight as he has a rail thin frame.

Tompson from Tex a freshman who is 3 in shorter Dominated him. Guy has no post moves, and anyone who scouts him will tell you hes soft and does not love the game.

I get paid to scout my friend so understand numbers in meaningless games mean very little. Ian has much more talent and you see how that went.

So a player like Thompson who should get drafted around 10-15 outplayed a player who going to get drafted late 1st to early 2nd, wow, thats a shocker. Not sure how you can say thompson dominated Benson since there statline was almost identical but with Thompson having 4 more blocks. Look, I could care less if the spurs do or dont draft this guy, but I am not going to act like I have seen this kid play all his college games. Some of your assessment may be correct ( very thin, plays soft, older) but the rest is crap and you getting paid should know that. Keep to the facts and do not pretend to know about this player than actually do and I will galdly praise your work.

Lets see, playing against second and third units.

WVA- Lost by 25
Pur- Lost by 15
Mich- Lost by 18
Ohio St- Lost by 30

Is it difficult to put up good numbers when walk ons are playing and the game is over 10 mins into the first half.

Since you brought up these games did you watch them to see who exactly Benson went up against and how he fared against the starters? Did you know Jujuan Johnson actually played 40 minutes in that game or did you just assume he did not play much cause of the final score?

[dbestpro]

I get paid to scout my friend ...................

For who? General Custer?

[ohmwrecker]

Just remember . . . Texas 2 Step wanted the Spurs to sign Shaq.

lol "paid to scout"

[ChuckD]

For who? General Custer?

dbestpro, ftw.

[ohmwrecker]

Yeah we see how well we did without him as Randolph and Gasol slapped our front line, you are clueless about basketball. Dont be upset Im paid to scout, you may see me coaching your fav college team one day.

Yeah, Shaq did a great job for the Celtics against the fearsome front line of the Heat . . . it would have been tough to guard Gasol/Randolph sitting behind the bench in a suit.

lol "upset"

[ohmwrecker]

LOL guy got hurt from being over used early in the season. As I have stated before SA only needed him for 15 mpg, to assist in clogging the lane.

He would have also helped our head hanging players to have some pride, as well as he could have helped Blair understand how to use his size and post skills.

You are are Bonner lover, We lost in the first round to the Griz, yet Shaq would not have helped....you must be a mavs fan.

Prove it, mother er.

[ChuckD]

LOL guy got hurt from being over used early in the season. As I have stated before SA only needed him for 15 mpg, to assist in clogging the lane.

He played 20, and broke down. Zack Randolph would have abused him by shooting over him or taking him off the bounce. Shaq was done, and the only ones who didn't know it were the Boston Celtics and you.

[SenorSpur]

Why are we wasting time and space talking about Shaq in a Keith Benson thread? Let's get back on track, please.