Lee Benson Likely To Return
Lee Benson, a 6-10, 220 pound forward/center from Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan., will probably return to the junior college for his sophomore campaign in the fall.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com first reported on Benson back in December from the Jayhawk Shootout in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was the player who had spent several years in prison before enrolling at Brown Mackie in the fall. Benson was recently profiled on an HBO special.
Advertisement
Brown Mackie Head Coach Francis Flax told JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com that more than 20 NBA teams have been through this season to take a look at Benson.
"Lee and I are going to sit down soon and go over the options," Flax said. "It's got to be his decision."
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Benson's decision could be impacted by the fact that he is older than a typical junior college freshman. He is in his late 20s already, so he is looking to enter the professional ranks as soon as he can do so.
"One team told me he could be a number one pick in 2003 if he stayed another year," Flax said. "But no NBA team has told me that they are definitely ready to take him if he comes out this year."
Benson has an interesting game for a 6-10 big man, as he can float out to three point range and knock down treys. Of course, at the next level, he will also be looked at to play in the low post, and from that standpoint, another year of seasoning couldn't hurt Benson.
With Okaloosa-Walton's Kedrick Brown selected in last year's NBA Draft, NBA teams are more aggressively scouting the junior college ranks in search of talent. And a 6-11, 225 pound big man with perimeter skills like Benson will obviously attract the eyes of curious NBA scouts.
"The very first game of the season we had the Memphis Grizzlies in," Flax said. "And we've had six other teams who have called and are coming. The next team that will be in will be the Milwaukee Bucks."