Benny Williams (basketball)
| UCF Knights | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward / power forward |
| League | Big 12 |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 2002 (age 22) Bowie, Maryland, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | Syracuse (2021–2024) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Benjamin H. Williams Jr. (born April 30, 2002) is an American college basketball player. He previously played for the Syracuse Orange of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) from 2021 until his dismissal on February 6, 2024.[1]
High school career
[edit]Williams played junior varsity basketball for Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for two years. He stood 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) as a freshman and was rejected by many Amateur Athletic Union programs. Williams grew 11 in (28 cm) from 2016 to 2018, and transferred to St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, where he repeated his sophomore year.[2] As a junior, he averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game, earning First Team All-Met honors.[3] For his senior season, he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida due to concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to facilities at St. Andrew's.[4] He averaged 16.3 points and six rebounds per game as a senior.[5] Williams was named to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.[6]
Recruiting
[edit]Williams was considered a five-star recruit by Rivals, and a four-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN.[7] He committed to playing college basketball for Syracuse over offers from Maryland, Georgetown and Miami (Florida).[8]
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benny Williams SF / PF |
Bowie, MD | IMG Academy (FL) | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 4, 2020 | |
Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 89
| ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 21 247Sports: 40 ESPN: 32 | ||||||
Sources:
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College career
[edit]On February 28, 2022, Williams suffered a lower body injury in an overtime loss to North Carolina, which was later determined to be season-ending. He averaged 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.[9] As a sophomore, Williams averaged 7.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He was suspended for two games at the start of his junior season due to a violation of team rules.[10] Williams last game as a member of the Syracuse University men's basketball team was Saturday, February 3, 2024, versus Wake Forest.[11] Williams scored 7 points on 2–9 shooting, to go along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 turnovers. His last play as a member of the team was a turnover.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Benny Williams dismissed from Syracuse University men's basketball". February 6, 2024.
- ^ Ditota, Donna (September 25, 2020). "Syracuse basketball recruit Benny Williams' journey from dismissed little kid to towering 5-star prospect". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Emerman, Danny (June 6, 2020). "What to know about Benny Williams, Syracuse's 1st 2021 commit". The Daily Orange. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Waters, Mike (August 12, 2020). "How coronavirus concerns played a role in Syracuse basketball commit Benny Williams' transfer to IMG Academy". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Ditota, Donna (May 12, 2021). "Syracuse recruit Benny Williams' quest to prove he belongs: 'I've always wanted the spotlight'". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ McAllister, Mike (May 22, 2021). "Benny Williams Named to Jordan Brand Classic Roster". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (September 30, 2020). "'My goal is to win a championship': Benny Williams on his Syracuse vision". The Athletic. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Errigo, Michael (June 5, 2020). "Benny Williams of St. Andrew's commits to Syracuse over Maryland, Georgetown". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Syracuse Orange men's basketball freshman Benny Williams injured, out for season". ESPN. Associated Press. March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Waters, Mike (November 10, 2023). "Syracuse basketball player Benny Williams reinstated after missing two games due to suspension". The Post-Standard. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Statement from Syracuse Men's Basketball". Twitter. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Henry (February 7, 2024). "O'Brien: Benny Williams' dismissal is a disappointing end to a once-promising career". The Daily Orange. Retrieved February 7, 2024.