Profile: David Ben

Vitals:
Player: Ben, David
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 205
Number: 34
Class: Junior
Hometown: Coatesville
High School: Coatesville HS
Major: Leisure and Sports Studies
Position: Guard/Forward
Depth Chart: Starter

Stats: Ben averaged 16.4 points per game entering this, his junior, season. He has started 54 of the 55 games he’s played in and has averaged just under 34 minutes of action a game since his arrival at KU. Despite a drop in shooting percentage and rebounding last season, he delivered with more assists, blocks, and steals than in his rookie year. In 2007-08, Ben is second on the teamin scoring (15.4 PPG) and rebounding (6.2 RPG). He leads the team in 3 pointers made (27) and assists (55).

Breakdown: Ben is a superstar athlete who has been a mainstay in the KU starting lineup since he busted onto the scene two years ago. The 2005-06 PSAC East Rookie of the Year and a 2006-07 All-PSAC East first teamer, Ben has been a top player in the PSAC and is always a threat to alter a game with his eye-popping dunks.

Strengths: Ben is nothing less than an outstanding athlete who could likely excel at any sport. He is an all around player who, even when struggling from the floor, can make an impact on the defensive end or by setting up teammates with opportunities to score. When he is hot, he is a top 5 player in the PSAC. He has the ability to score from any part of the floor, including a deadly 3 point shot and via an incredible ability to find openings in the lane. Never to be discounted his ability to cause momentum swings with his ability to dunk the ball.

Weaknesses: As mentioned earlier, Ben can usually make up for a poor shooting day by doing the little things like distributing the ball, rebounding, and making plays on the defensive end. With that said, he loves to shoot the ball and a poor day from the field is often the result of Ben trying to force shots that just aren’t there. He has a tendency to take some ugly looking shots in the lane, which contributes to his team-high 142 turnovers over the last two seasons.

Impact: Ben is one of the most valuable players to his team in the league. Without him, KU would not have hosted it’s first ever playoff game one year ago and would not be atop the PSAC East standings this year. With his continued progression and senior season just around the corner, the best of David Ben may yet to be seen.