Keith Benson

[mitchell]

Looks like Benson will test the NBA waters. He's not hiring an agent so basically if his workouts go well and he's gauranteed a decent draft spot he will forgo his senior year. If not, he will back to terrorize the Summit for one more season.

http://www.ougrizzlies.com/sports/m-...041610aaa.html

[Kemo]

Re: Keith Benson

I hope he is the Mike Mamula of NBA Draft workouts...

...though I hope he has way more successful career in the pros than "The Workout Warrior" did.

[mitchell]

Re: Keith Benson

ESPN's Chad Ford recommends Benson stays in school.

Keith Benson, C, Oakland

Benson had a bit of a breakout season, but he needs to add strength and improve his intensity on the defensive end. He's a potential first-round pick next season. But this year he's stuck in the second.

[Nidaros]

Re: Keith Benson

ESPN's Chad Ford recommends Benson stays in school.

Good advice.

[KUlawJack]

Re: Keith Benson

Good advice.

Good advice, but a bad situation for the rest of the Summit - we don't need that terror around for another year.

[Jacks-02]

Re: Keith Benson

Good advice, but a bad situation for the rest of the Summit - we don't need that terror around for another year.

I disagree that the Summit doesn't need a guy like him. Anything that's going to get the Summit League ESPN time and national recognition from people talking about Benson as an NBA prospect is good in my book.

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: Keith Benson

Best scenario is that he plays like a beast all year, but gets the flu 2 or 3 times next year.

[KUlawJack]

Re: Keith Benson

I disagree that the Summit doesn't need a guy like him. Anything that's going to get the Summit League ESPN time and national recognition from people talking about Benson as an NBA prospect is good in my book.

I understand where you are coming from, but one player won't raise any interest in our league, IMO. Winning games in the NCAA tournament will do that. George Hill was just drafted a couple years ago and that was a blip on the radar as far as coverage for the Summit on major sports outlets.

[filbert]

Re: Keith Benson

Best scenario is that he plays like a beast all year, but gets the flu 2 or 3 times next year.

You mean like the weekends Oakland plays SDSU?

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: Keith Benson

You mean like the weekends Oakland plays SDSU?

Absolutely, twice in the regular season and once in the tourney if we meet them. Nothing serious that would jeopardize his career, just keep him off the court those nights. Heck, I am generous enough to allow him to miss our travel partner to the north's games also.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Keith Benson

ESPN's Chad Ford recommends Benson stays in school.

OK, I don't get this. Is the theory that by staying in school he will improve his stock and get into the first round?

First year minimum salary is $473,604. The NBA has a minimum salary scale, so if he signed a two year deal, the least he would make would be about $1.26 million. I don't know about everyone else, but if he has a decent head on his shoulders, that kind of money is a nice jump start on life, and he can always come back to school to finish his degree.

Although second round picks may not be guaranteed according to http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?ti...Draft_Overview

Info on minimum salaries:
http://www.nba.com/news/cba_minimumsalary_050804.html

Analysis of the value of each pick position:
http://www.82games.com/barzilai1.htm

[mitchell]

Re: Keith Benson

OK, I don't get this. Is the theory that by staying in school he will improve his stock and get into the first round?

First year minimum salary is $473,604. The NBA has a minimum salary scale, so if he signed a two year deal, the least he would make would be about $1.26 million. I don't know about everyone else, but if he has a decent head on his shoulders, that kind of money is a nice jump start on life, and he can always come back to school to finish his degree.

Although second round picks may not be guaranteed according to http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?ti...Draft_Overview

Info on minimum salaries:
http://www.nba.com/news/cba_minimumsalary_050804.html

Analysis of the value of each pick position:
http://www.82games.com/barzilai1.htm

1st rounders get guaranteed money, 2nd rounders don't.

[SoDakJack]

Re: Keith Benson

I just don't know if I see Benson as a 1st rounder. What if he ends up like the kid in the NCAA tournament, the kid from West Virgina, where he gets hurt and ends up not even being drafted.

I say that if a guy is a lock for the second round that a smaller school player should almost take it.

[jacks1]

Re: Keith Benson

Benson withdrew his name from the draft...terrific.