April 30, 2010

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University's Keith Benson will withdraw his name from the 2010 NBA draft, announced by the junior from Farmington Hills on Friday. A routine, end-of the-season physical, revealed that he needs surgery to strengthen a ligament in his thumb.

"My thumb doesn't hurt, I am not in pain at all," said Benson. "I played the entire season with it, but was advised that I will need the surgery down the line, so I have opted to have it now. I don't want to take a chance of injuring my thumb by participating in NBA workouts.

"I only have one week for workouts because I have to make the decision about returning for my senior season by May 8th," said Benson. "The recovery time from the surgery precludes participating in NBA workouts after the surgery, before the draft. It is a gamble to enter the NBA draft without the benefit of team workouts. So, I have decided to withdraw from the draft and concentrate on preparing for my senior season at Oakland."

A 6-foot-11 center, Benson was named The Summit League Player of the Year and Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year by CollegeInsider.com. He led the league with a single-season school record 367 rebounds and 117 blocked shots. Benson finished third in the conference and led the team by averaging 17.3 points per game and posted a league-high 18 double-doubles.

Benson will travel to Baltimore, Md. next week for out-patient surgery that will be performed by the hand surgeon who operated on Shaquille O'Neal of the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with several other NBA players. He plans to resume working with trainers in four to six weeks.

Benson will receive his baccalaureate degree from Oakland University on Saturday in integrative studies. He will take graduate courses in architectural studies in the coming academic year.

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