Friar Basketball

One on One with Ben Bentil

BenBentilInterview

Shortly after lunch time, on Monday September 30th, Ben Bentil a 6’8” power forward out of St. Andrew’s School, Delaware, announced his intention to become a Providence College Friar. Bentil’s decision gives Ed Cooley his third verbal commitment in the class of 2014 as Bentil joins Jalen Lindsey and Paschal Chukwu. With one open scholarship remaining, the 2014 class is nearly gaining the same amount of attention as the 2012 class that featured Ricky Ledo, Kris Dunn and Josh Fortune. 

Ben Bentil will join the 2014-15 Friars as a legit 4 and one who can fill the empty shoes left behind by Kadeem Batts following his graduation next Spring. He has the body and size of a prototypical power forward and comes to Providence with a defensive mindset. After developing a passion for the sport of basketball, when moving from Ghana to the United States, Bentil soon idolized Kevin Garnett for his aggressive style of play, “Growing up, I liked Kevin Garnett, I loved to watch his game and the way he plays defense,” he said, “I love to get after people, so I am really focused on my defense.”

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Ed Cooley has preached that Providence College would become a tougher defensive team ever since his first day on campus and when incoming players are quick to point out that they are defensive minded, Ed Cooley’s vision is rapidly becoming reality.As a junior at St. Andrew’s School, Bentil averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds and he said that he will continue to focus on his defense heading into his senior year.

Completing the frontcourt for the foreseeable future, Bentil will have the opportunity to play alongside 7’1” Paschal Chukwu giving PC one of the strongest 4-5 tandems in the Big East. When asked if he had been in contact with his future teammates, Bentil said, “I’ve talked to Jalen and Paschal, we’re already trying to build a relationship, even before we get on campus.”

Like many of the recruits, who have committed to Providence College during Ed Cooley’s tenure, Bentil said he chose PC because he, “likes their playing style and the coaching staff.” He went on to add that PC is very similar to St. Andrew’s, in terms of the general environment, and because of that, the transition from high school life to college won’t be difficult for him.

Bentil is proud to be a Friar, “I’m looking forward to stepping in and doing my part, working hard and going all out for Friar Nation!”

Email Craig Belhumeurcraig.belhumeur@friarbasketball.com

 

700 Comments

  1. ProviSwagDistrict

    October 2, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Nice write up Craig. Keep up the good work.

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