June 23, 2011
2011 NBA Draft Board
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University's Keith Benson became the first-ever Golden Grizzly to be selected in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft as the Atlanta Hawks selected the 6-foot-11 center with the 48th pick (2nd round) on Thursday night inside the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Benson, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., is the seventh player in Summit League history to be taken in the NBA Draft.
"I'm really excited to be picked by a playoff team and to be the first-ever player drafted from Oakland," said Benson. "It means a lot to me. They have a lot of good players like (Al) Horford, (Joe) Johnson and (Josh) Smith. I am looking forward to taking the next step in my life."
A two-time All-American and Summit League Player of the Year, Benson helped lead Oakland to a program-best 91 wins in four seasons and three consecutive 20-win seasons. He led the Golden Grizzlies to two straight Summit League regular season and tournament championships and back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Benson set the all-time league record with 371 blocked shots en route to being named Summit League Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm really happy for Keith Benson," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "This is a dream come true for him and his family. To see a young man that I have so much respect for reach a goal in his life is very exciting."
Benson is the only league player to surpass 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 blocked shots, finishing with 1,903 points and 1,103 rebounds. He received the 2010 Lou Henson Award, given to the nation's top Mid-Major collegiate player and is a three-time all-league performer.
"Keith brings height, length, and the ability to score the ball and defend," said Hawks Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Dave Pendergraft. "We like his potential and had him projected to go early in the second round. He has good anticipation and is an exceptional shot-blocker, with wiry strength."
"I'm very happy with the pick, Keith certainly has a tremendous upside to his game," said Hawks Head Coach Larry Drew. "He's a shot-blocker with tremendous length. As a team, we hope to improve defensively next season and what better way to do that than to draft one of the top shot-blockers in college basketball."
Rawle Marshall is the only other OU player to play in the NBA, signing as a free agent in 2005 and played for the Dallas Mavericks (2005-06) and Indiana Pacers (2006-07).
ALL-TIME SUMMIT LEAGUE NBA DRAFT CHOICES
1986 - Round 2 - 33rd selection - Kevin Duckworth, Eastern Illinois - San Antonio Spurs
1986 - Round 4 - 97th selection - Clinton Smith, Cleveland State - Golden State Warriors
1987 - Round 2 - 40th selection - Winston Garland, Missouri State - Milwaukee Bucks
1992 - Round 2 - 35th selection - Tony Bennett, Green Bay - Charlotte Hornets
1998 - Round 1 - 16th selection - Bryce Drew, Valparaiso - Houston Rockets
2008 - Round 1 - 26th selection - George Hill, IUPUI - San Antonio Spurs
2011 - Round 2 - 48th selection - Keith Benson, Oakland - Atlanta Hawks
* Quotes from Hawks' personnel taken from Atlanta Hawks official website
-OAKLAND-
