Skyforce’s Benson Earns D-League Weekly Honor

Standing tall above them all, Keith Benson of the Sioux Falls Skyforce was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week. The League announced the selection via press release for games played December. 5 through December 11, 2016.

Benson, a 6-11 center from Oakland University (MI) led Sioux Falls to a 3-1 week, averaging 18.5 points on 57.4 percent shooting to go with 13.3 rebounds (third in the league) and a league-best 4.3 blocks. He registered a point-rebound double-double in each of his four games. On Dec. 5, he tallied a season-high 25 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a 124-116 victory over the Long Island Nets. On Dec. 9, he scored 19 points to go with 13 rebounds and a season-high six blocks in a 101-81 loss to the Raptors 905.

Benson is averaging 17.8 points, 11.0 rebounds (second in the league) and a league-best 3.5 blocks this season. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (48th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft and signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors during the 2011-12 season, appearing in three games. This marks his fourth NBA D-League season and third with Sioux Falls. In 2015-16, Benson was named to the NBA D-League All-Star game and helped Sioux Falls capture the NBA D-League Championship.

During his time in Sioux Falls, Benson has scored 1,193 points, grabbed 657 rebounds and blocked 149 shots. Benson is currently 3rd on the Skyforce career list in blocked shots.

Other top performers considered included Fort Wayne’s Trey McKinney-Jones, Maine’s Jalen Jones, Northern Arizona’s Elijah Millsap, Oklahoma City’s Dakari Johnson, Reno’s Lamar Patterson, Rio Grande Valley’s Darius Morris, Texas’ Pierre Jackson and Windy City’s Aaron Thomas.

Sioux Falls will play only one game this week, hosting the Austin Spurs on Friday at the Sanford Pentagon.

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