Keith Benson (ex SE M. Phoenix) is a newcomer at Shabab Al Ahli

- January 6, 2020

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Keith Benson

Defending champion Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (D1) strengthened their roster with addition of 31-year old American center Keith Benson (211-107kg-88, college: Oakland). He started the season at SE M. Phoenix in Australian NBL league. In 16 games he recorded 5.8ppg and 3.9rpg this season. The last season Benson played at Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (BBL) in German league where in 34 games he averaged 11.8ppg, 7.4rpg (#4 in the league) and 1.1bpg. Good season as he was named League Player of the Week.
In 2011 he was drafted by Atlanta Hawks (NBA) in second round (48th overall). Benson attended Oakland University and it is his ninth season in pro basketball.
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he won D-League championship title in 2016. Benson was also voted All-Summit League Player of the Year and All-Summit League Defensive Player of the Year back in 2011 at his college time.
Benson is quite experienced player. Thanks to his pro career he managed to play on three different continents (Europe, Asia and of course North America) in eleven different countries. Benson has played previously professionally in Belarus (Tsmoki-Minsk), China (Guizhou and Shaanxi Xinda), Estonia (Kalev/Cramo), Greece (Aris), Italy (Sassari), Japan (Osaka Evessa), Lithuania (Neptunas), Philippines, Turkey (Bandirma), NBA (Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat) and NBA G League (Sioux Falls Skyforce).
The scouts decsribe him following way: (by Jorrye Nixon for NBADraft.net in 2011)
Runs the floor well and shows good reactive leaping skills that help him some on the glass and blocking shotsDisplays a developing post game that is pretty solid right nowHas a very soft touch and is still adding moves to his repertoireHas a right-handed jump hook that is very effective, and with his length looks to translate seamlesslyNever seems to rush into his moves. Can be pushed out of the post by more physical bigs, and sometimes struggles to establish position consistently against strength Will need to get much stronger in his lower body Doesn't play very tough, physical ... His motor is also very improvable.

By Eurobasket Data Center