March 10, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Senior Keith Benson will once again represent Oakland and The Summit League as a first team selection to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District Team, announced by the NABC on Thursday. The award is the first step toward being named to the State Farm Coaches' Division I All-America team.

The back-to-back Summit League Player of the Year, Benson led the league in rebounds (10.2), double-doubles (20) and blocked shots (3.8) per game during the regular season. He ranks second in the nation in blocks and is 20th in the NCAA in rebounds per game.

During The Summit League Tournament, Benson averaged a double-double of 24.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game and was named The Tournament MVP. Benson recorded his school-record 20th double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds giving him seven double-doubles in nine career Summit League Tournament games. He has 49 career double-doubles.

Benson's 363 career blocked shots are a Summit League record. He is also only the second player in league history to score over 1,500 points and 1000 rebounds. He is 12th in Summit League history with 1,888 points and ranks second in league history with 1092 rebounds.

Benson was a first team selection last year and earned honorable mention All-America honors. He was also the 2010 Lou Henson Award winner as the Mid-Major Player of the Year.

The two-time defending Summit League Champion, Oakland has earned another automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament, the third over the last six years. Benson and the Golden Grizzlies await their opponent which will be announced along with the rest of the field on Sunday.

-OAKLAND-