Oakland’s Benson named to CollegeInsider.com All-America list
ROCHESTER HILLS – Oakland University’s Keith Benson was named to the 2011 Lute Olson All-America team and 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America team, announced by CollegeInsider.com on Friday.
Benson, a 6-foot-11 senior center, led the Golden Grizzlies to back-to-back Summit League regular season and tournament championships.
Benson, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., and a graduate of Birmingham Detroit Country Day, set the all-time Summit League record for blocked shots, finishing his career with 371. He blocked a single-season school record 127 this season, finishing second in the country. Benson also led the team with 17.8 points per game and a league-high 10.1 rebounds per game. He went on to post another single-season school record with 20 double-doubles, finishing with a career record 49.
A two-time Summit League Player of the Year and three-time all-league performer, Benson was also named Summit League Defensive Player of the Year this season, becoming the first player in league history to garner both accolades in the same season. He helped Oakland to a program-best 91 wins over four years and back-to-back league titles, including a nation’s best 34-2 league record over the last two seasons.
Benson became just the second player in Summit League history to surpass 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds, finishing second in career rebounds with 1,103 and 13th in scoring with 1,903. His season block total ranks third in single-season league history and his 354 rebounds stands fourth. He ended the season second in the country with 3.6 blocked shots per game and sixth in double-doubles.
Projected as an NBA first round draft pick, Benson can become the first-ever Oakland player selected in the NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23 in Newark, N.J. Rawle Marshall (2002-05) was the only other OU player to compete in the NBA, but was an undrafted free agent signee.
Benson is now eligible for the Lute Olson Award which is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I
player who has played at least two seasons with his respective team. Freshmen and first-year transfers can be named to the All-America team, but are not eligible to receive the Player of the Year honors. He is also eligible for the National Defensive Player of the Year Award.
The 2011 Lute Olson Player of the Year and 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year Awards will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet on April 1 in Houston, Texas site of the NCAA Final Four.
2011 LUTE OLSON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Keith Benson, Oakland
Marshon Brooks, Providence
Alec Burks, Colorado
Norris Cole, Cleveland State
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston
Jordan Hamilton, Texas
Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame
Justin Harper, Richmond
Tu Holloway, Xavier
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
Marcus Morris, Kansas
Adrian Oliver, San Jose State
Nolan Smith, Duke
Kyle Singler, Duke
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Kemba Walker, Connecticut
Derrick Williams, Arizona
2011 LEFT DRIESELL DEFENSIVE ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Dogus Balbay, Texas
Keith Benson, Oakland
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion
Norris Cole, Cleveland State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
John Flowers, West Virginia
Tu Holloway, Xavier
JuJuan Johnson, Purdue
DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky
Sam Muldrow, South Carolina
Ronald Nored, Butler
Damien Saunders, Duquesne
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Nolan Smith Duke
Demontez Stitt, Clemson
Iman Sumpert, GA Tech
Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Malcolm Thomas San Diego State
Brad Wanamaker, Pittsburgh
Casper Ware, Long Beach State
Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, Oakland University
