Jerrelle Benimon

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Towson 83, Hofstra 77

Saturday, February 22, 2014 | Mack Sports Complex (Hempstead, NY)

Towson 20-9, Hofstra 8-21

Jerrelle Benimon — SF/PF, 6-8, 250
Senior, 22 years old (via Georgetown)

Season (35.6 mpg): 18.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 4 APG, 1.3 BPG

53% FG, 29% three-point, 72% FT
27.5 PER, 3 fouls per game

Using 29.4% of Towson’s possessions (65th nationally)

Game (26 min): 22 pts, 6 rbs, 1 ast, 4 fouls
7-10 FG, 1-1 three-point, 7-9FT

Outlook: For me, Benimon is a difficult prospect to evaluate.

He is the best player in the CAA, a lock to repeat as Conference Player of the Year, and he contributes across the board.

However, Benimon will be a role player should he make the NBA. Thus, it’s difficult to identify which aspects of his game will successfully translate to the next level.

The good: At 6-8, 250-pounds, Benimon is a combo-forward with a vast scoring arsenal. Offensively, he can face up or play with his back to the basket. Defensively, he can defend either forward position.

Benimon is balanced offensively—his shot distribution this season is 34% jump shots/46% around the basket/16% post up/4% runner. Quick first step to attack off the bounce, and a strong upper body to drive powerfully. When his jump shot and inside game are in sync, he is unstoppable inside the 3-point line. Off the ball, Benimon is adept at finding the open seams in the defense, leading to cuts and drop offs at the basket. He has the size and footwork to score from inside 17-feet.

Benimon is pretty much unguardable in the CAA. He scored 17 points on 6-7 shooting in the first half vs. Hofstra, a typical performance by his standards. He can pick and pop on the perimeter, and finish in the paint. “Give the ball to Jerrelle and let him operate” is Towson’s most frequent set this season.

Benimon is positionally interchangeable in the half court. He also has the requisite ball handling skills to lead—and finish—in transition.

Defensively, Benimon is a good perimeter defender, holding opponents to 20% shooting on jumpers. Disciplined and patient footwork, and great timing on his contests. He absorbs contact with his 245-pound frame, and has the motor to defend for 40 minutes.

Benimon is also a terrific rebounder, and passer from the high post. He averages 11.4 RPG, and his 25% defensive rebounding percentage ranks 28th nationally. His wide build, desire to rebound, and vertical athleticism from a stationary position enable him to rebound through traffic. Benimon wants to rebound, from both the perimeter and the paint, with a clear second-and-third effort on film.

Passing-wise, Benimon is averaging 3.7 assists per game, and his 27.8% assist rate ranks 6th in the CAA. He had only 1 assist vs. Hofstra, but on film, he has terrific vision from the foul line area. When the defense converges for a double team in the post, Benimon can pass out of traps, with cross-court accuracy. He hits open cutters, and can pass while in motion. Good stuff here.

The bad: All that being said, Benimon’s production and impact must be contextualized. He plays in the CAA, a below-average league by any measure. Towson’s offense is specifically designed to get Benimon touches. He is the main cog in Towson’s attack; not an ancillary piece like he’d be in the NBA. Again, does he excel in any facet of the game to become a solid role player?

To his credit, Benimon has taken care of business. And to even more credit, he’s played well in the non-conference (21 points and 10 rebounds at Kansas; 11 points and 6 rebounds at Villanova; 32 points and 10 rebounds vs. Temple). At Allen Fieldhouse in November, Benimon consistently scored over Joel Embiid, using pump-fakes, counter-moves and fade-away jumpers. It was a tedious approach, but it worked, and lent credence to his soft touch.

But for all the skill Benimon possesses—versatility scoring the ball, good rebounder and passer—I still have reservations. Firstly, although he shoots 53% FG/59% true shooting percentage, Benimon needs touches to be effective. 27% of his offense is isolation, while 13% is post-up situations. He’s been molded as the centerpiece scorer, not a role player. What could he bring beyond scoring? Any specific contributions without the basketball?

Secondly, Benimon lacks the size (6-8, short arms) and athleticism to be an interior force in the NBA. Against Kansas, he had to scratch and claw for everything in the paint. Such an arduous approach is not sustainable over 82 games.

Thirdly, Benimon uses a lot of dribbles to create separation. He won’t be afforded a 35-second clock in the NBA, and again, he’ll be playing within the framework of an actual offense.

Without proper size and athleticism, and at 22 years old, can Benimon extended his range beyond 17-feet? These are not rhetorical questions; I’m legitimately curious.

Maybe he can contribute as a catch-and-shoot stretch forward. But as of now, I doubt that. Per Synergy, of his 100 jump shot attempts this season, only 8 have been catch and shoot, while 54 have come off the dribble. Additionally, his range is very limited, shooting 29% from 3-point range this season.

In summary, I think Benimon will struggle at the next level due to average athleticism, tendency to over-dribble, and limited range. If he can extend his range, he’ll have solid pick and pop potential, which could stretch the defense and open up driving lanes. But developing a jump shot is easier said than done.

I have concerns defensively as well. While statistics measure Benimon as an “excellent” isolation defender, I disagree. Firstly, he has short arms, which makes defending the post very difficult. But more importantly, watching on film, Benimon clearly struggles to contain perimeter penetration. He stays upright in his stance, and is slow on his feet. Opposing players routinely drive by Benimon and penetrate the lane, regardless if they finish the basket.

So yes, Benimon is a solid defender in terms of timing and contesting shots. But he has poor footwork, which leads to porous—if not terrible—defense.

Overall: Benimon’s versatile scoring and aggressiveness on the glass make him a valuable prospect. An improved jumper will open up driving lanes, and maximize his near perfect touch around the basket. Most importantly, though, he needs to improve his on-ball defense. If he measures good enough at the combine, his offensive talent warrants second-round Draft consideration.

Strengths
— Combo-forward with vast scoring arsenal
— Aggressive and gracious to finish on the block; pure jumper to 17-feet
— Top-30 defensive rebounding percentage
— Second-leading passer in CAA (can pass from high post, spot cutters, or pass out of traps)
— Terrific pick and pop potential
— A scorer by nature (has produced consistently all year long)

Defects/Areas of Improvement
— Short wingspan
— Limited height and athleticism; needs to extend game to perimeter
— Poor 3-point shooter (29%)
— Clearly struggles going left
— Struggles containing penetration
— Lacks athleticism and size to defend post players at the next level
— Potentially “position-less” on both ends of the court (lacks handle/jumper to play SF in the NBA; lacks footwork to defend SFs, size to defend PFs)

Video

Strengths

Video: 22 Points vs. Hofstra

Video: Non-conference scoring (21 points vs. Kansas; 11 points vs. Villanova; 32 vs. Temple)

Video: Put-Backs

— 11% of Benimon’s attempts this season are on offensive put-backs, where he’s converting 66% of his attempts. Relentless second effort

Video: Mid-Range Shots

— Benimon is a reliable mid-range shooter (38%), but sometimes he over-dribbles. He has good form on his shot, releasing the ball at its apex

Video: “Post Up” Points

— Benimon is a crafty scorer in the paint, with a strong frame to back down his opponent. Clearly favors shooting over his right shoulder

Video: Isolation defense (excellent)

— 15% of his possessions defensively, holding opponents to 11% shooting

— Good patience and balance; keeps hands in offensive player’s grill; good timing on contest. That said, I still have concerns…

Video: Cutting/Slashing

— Nimble feet. Finds creases off the ball, and has requisite touch/strength to finish below the foul line

Video: Pick and Pop

— Small sample (11-18 on the season), but Benimon has pick and pop potential

— Very effective driving to the basket off the “pop”

Video: Handling the Ball in transition

— Has a “watch out, coming through traffic!” effect in the open court. Tight handle to go coast to coast

Video: Passing/Court Vision

— 3.7 APG; 27.8% assist rate ranks 6th in the CAA; second in the CAA in total assists

— Can pass from high post; keeps the ball high and surveys the defense

Video: Deceptive athleticism

— Benimon is not a “high flyer,” but he’s flashed explosive ability in fits and starts

Defects/Areas of Improvement

Video: Misses

Video: Struggles driving left

— Benimon is clearly uncomfortable going left

— 5-25 driving left this season; comparatively, he’s 23-46 driving right

Video: Missed 3′s

— As mentioned, Benimon is shooting 29% from 3 (9-31 on the year). Limited range

Video: Fouling

— 3 fouls per game (36 min)

— “Bites” on shot-fakes

Video: Protecting the middle of the court

— Poor footwork, struggles to contain penetration

— Lunges for steals; gambles

— Major concern here

Coming soon