Matt Whitfield, Rutgers Recruiting, St. Joseph's Recruiting, Syracuse Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting

CLASS OF 2014 INTRO: BEN BENTIL

By Matt Whitfield

Running around at the Hoop Group Elite Team Camp this past Friday afternoon, an assistant coach with an Atlantic 10 school stopped me and said ‘do you know who this is’. I said I didn’t and the coach said ‘you’re going to thank me one day for telling you about this kid.’

That ‘kid’ is 6-foot-8 rising sophomore (Class of 2014) incoming sophomore Ben Bentil, formerly of Ghana.

“A lot of colleges [have called thus far], but they said I shouldn’t talk about it because I don’t really need to worry about it right now,” said Bentil.

Bentil describes himself as a defensive player, but his coach describes him as a jack-of-all-trades on the basketball court.

“I describe myself as more of a defensive player, but my coach calls me a utility player because I do a little bit of everything,” said Bentil. “I rebound, I score, I post up, I face up, I do everything.”

Bentil listed a few schools from the Big East that have shown him interest.

“I already know that from the Big East, Villanova, Syracuse and Rutgers are looking at me. As well as St. Joseph’s from the Atlantic 10 Conference.”

Judging by the reaction and buzz from the camp, that list will certainly grow with the assistant that pointed him out and others who stopped to get a look at his talents.

Bentil offered a very good and very real assesment of his own game, identifying his own strengths and weaknesses he will work to improve on.

“My strength is that I’m a really good shot blocker,” he said. “And that I rebound [well]. My weakness is probably my off the dribble shot. As well as my jumper and midrange off the dribble.”

Bentil will be play his high school ball this winter for St. Andrew’s in Delaware after spending last season at Haverford (PA). NBE will certainly be watching Ben Bentil as he is a youngster with a lot promise.

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