Oakland’s Benson selected by Atlanta Hawks in NBA Draft

ON THE BOARD: OAkalnad University's Keith Benson became the first player in school history to be slected in the NBA Draft, as he was chosen Wednesday night as the 48th pick by the Atlanta Hawks. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

NEWARK, N.J. — During his stellar career at Oakland University, Keith Benson posted several firsts and had countless memorable moments.

His latest first will be something that will never be taken away from him.

Benson, a 6-foot-11, 230-pound center, became the first basketball player in Oakland history to be selected in the NBA Draft, as he was chosen as the 48^th pick Wednesday by the Atlanta Hawks at Newark’s Prudential Center.

Benson, the all-time leader in blocks shots (371) not only at OU, but in the Summit League, averaged 17.9 points a game this past winter for the Grizzlies, who won back-to-back regular seasons and Summit League Conference tournament titles to reach the NCAA tournament. A three-time all-conference first-team pick, Benson also averaged 32.4 minutes, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks an outing while posting a .634 free throw percentage and a .547 field goal percentage.

If Benson makes the Hawks roster, he will become the school’s second NBA player. Rawle Marshall spent parts of two seasons in the league but was undrafted coming out of college.  Marshall played stints with the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers, respectively, from 2005-2007.

He is also the seventh Summit League player to be selected in the NBA Draft.

“I’m really happy for Keith Benson,” said Oakland coach Greg Kampe in a statement released late Thursday night. “This is a dream come true for him and his family. To see a young man that I have so much respect for reach a goal in his life is very exciting.”

Benson was the Summit League Player of the Year as both a junior and senior and helped lead his team to two NCAA appearances, 20-win seasons his final three campaigns and 91 wins in his career. He also garnered the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior.

Benson, who was redshirted in his first season with Oakland after coming aboard from Birmingham Detroit Country Day High School, finishes with 1,903 points, 1,103 rebounds and 371 blocks — the first player in the Summit League history to reach those heights.

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Tags: 2011 NBA Draft, Campus Clips, featured, Keith Benson, oakland university, Oakland University men's basketball

Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, Campus Clips, Oakland University