Lee Benson Putting Up Impressive Numbers

One of the more interesting story lines to emerge at this year's Jayhawk Shootout was Lee Benson of Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan.

Benson is one of the more unique stories in all of junior college basketball. The 6-11 power forward/center is 27-years old after spending several years in prison.

The Dayton, Ohio, native has generated interest among college recruiters, talent scouts and NBA people with his well-rounded game, and Brown Mackie Head Coach Francis Flax is glad to have Benson on board this year.

"Well I''ve had some D-Is tell me he can go to college, because this is his first enrollment in college, and I've had some others tell me he can't go. Personally, I think that when Lee finishes at Brown Mackie, he'll be done as far as college basketball goes."

"Because of his age, if somebody comes in and offers to pay him, I am going to let him go," Flax continued. "I don't think that will happen right now and I don't think it will be the NBA, it could be overseas. But because of his age, it's time for him to move on."

Flax said he expects Benson to stay for two years at Brown Mackie before entertaining any professional options.

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."

Benson put up impressive numbers at this past weekend's Shootout. In a Friday loss to Allen County C.C., Benson showed off his outside shooting ability to the tune of 19 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots.

In a Saturday victory over Independence C.C., Benson played a bit more conventional big man role, tussling more in and around the paint. In that contest, Benson scored 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots.

"He's not very good with his back to the basket," Flax said. "We have to work on that a little bit. If we can get him the ball with his back to the basket, he shoot the turnaround jump shot."

So while his talent is evident, the only stumbling block Benson might encounter is the fact that he served serious time in jail. With NBA teams performing extensive background checks on potential prospects, you can be certain that every team will run him through the grist before deciding if he is worthy of a draft pick down the road.

"He's been a great kid," Flax said. "He's easy to coach and works harder than anybody that we have. He's respectful -- he's never been a problem. He just got caught up when he was a youngster."