NJ Benson

Position:
Forward
Ht./Wt.:
6-8 / 235
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Mt. Vernon, Ill.
High School:
Mt. Vernon Township
Prev School:
Missouri State

2024-25 (JUNIOR):

Played in 28 games with 11 starts, missing six games due to a hand injury.
Led the team and ranked ninth in the BIG EAST with 6.2 rebounds per game.
Also averaged nine points per game and shot 60.6 percent on the year.
His 1.36 blocks per game ranked seven among all BIG EAST players.
Totaled 38 blocks across the season, ranking sixth most all-time by a DePaul junior in a single-season.
Increased his rebound average to 6.5 against conference opponents.
Tallied a player efficiency rating of 21.3, the eighth best individual rating for a Blue Demon, dating back to 2009-10.
Had 11 games in double-digit scoring, including two 20-point efforts, and a team-best three double-doubles.
Scored 15 points in back-to-back games against Prairie View A&M (11/7) and Mercer (11/11).
Contributed nine rebounds against Prairie View on a 6-of-8 shooting performance.
Became a consistent threat off the bench with nine points and at least five rebounds against Valparaiso (11/29), Texas Tech (12/4) and Wichita State (12/14).
Nabbed career-high 17 rebounds against Loyola Maryland (12/28), tying him for the fourth most all-time inside Wintrust Arena.
Paired his rebounds with 22 points for a double-double in his first start at DePaul.
Made it back-to-back double-doubles against #11 UConn (1/1) with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Grabbed eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks at Seton Hall (1/8).
Scored 13 points with five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals against Xavier (1/11).
One of 27 DePaul players all-time to have a perfect field goal percentage in a single-game with a 5-of-5 performance against #7 Marquette (1/14).
Also contributed eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the overtime game against the Golden Eagles.
Was 5-of-6 from the floor, including his first career three-pointer, in a road win against Georgetown (1/17).
Added seven rebounds and four blocks against the Hoyas.
Notched 20 points and nine rebounds at Butler (1/25).
Recorded a double-double against Seton Hall (2/2) with 17 points and 11 boards.
Missed nearly a month of action following a hand injury against Marquette (2/11).
Went 7-of-8 from the floor in first round of the conference tournament against Georgetown (3/12), giving him the best field goal percentage by a DePaul player in a BIG EAST Tournament game.
Scored 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks against Cincinnati (4/1) in the College Basketball Crown.

2023-24 (SOPHOMORE AT MISSOURI STATE):

Played in 32 games, including 23 starts where he led the Bears with 7.9 rebounds per game and 51 blocks.
His 51 blocks on the season ranked as the eight most single-season total in Missouri State history.
Totaled 10 double-doubles throughout the season, including back-to-back in the last two games of the year.
Averaged 8.6 points per game on a 63.0 field goal percentage.
Led the Missouri Valley Conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.91) and ranked second in blocks.
Scored 11 points in back-to-back games against Oral Roberts (11/13) and FGCU (11/17).
Notched double-double against Abilene Christian (11/2)0 with 17 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to three blocks and two steals.
Had a double-double in conference opener against Evansville (11/29) with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Tied a Missouri State school record seven blocks against Sam Houston (12/9) in addition to six rebounds.
Nabbed 10 rebounds against Tulsa (12/16), including six offensive boards.
Scored a season-high 22 points against Evansville (1/13) on 10-of-14 shooting with 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Secured three-straight double-doubles against Valparaiso (2/7), Bradley (2/21) and Illinois State (2/28).
Was 10-of-14 from the floor against the Redbirds with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Opened Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double against Murray State (3/7).
Notched 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in Missouri Valley Conference Tournament against Indiana State (3/8).

2022-23 (FRESHMAN AT MISSOURI STATE):

Played in 27 games with one start as a true freshman.
Notched a 53.4 field goal percentage in his debut collegiate season.
Made college debut against Missouri S&T (11/9) with eight points and three rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting.
Nabbed eight rebounds, with eight points, against UIC (11/30).
Scored season-best nine points against Evansville (1/4) with three rebounds and a block.
Swatted a season-high two blocks against Indiana State (1/15) and tied the number on the road against the Sycamores (2/26).
Notched season-high 12 rebounds at Bradley (2/15).

HIGH SCHOOL/PREP:

Was Conference and Regional Player of the Year in 2021-22 after averaging 21.9 points and just under 11 rebounds per game.
Helped his team advance to the regional round before finishing with a 22-10 record.
Was named South 7 Conference Player of the Year as a junior averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game.
Was ranked the No. 7 prospect in Illinois and top power forward in the state by the Chicago Sun Times.