Ben Bentil of PC declares -- Worth taking in late first/early second?

[slamtheking]

Caught the news last night that Ben Bentil from PC declared for the draft but didn't sign with an agent.

Here's some analysis of his game from
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/01/nba_draft_stock_watch_college_1.html

Scouts have come around to watch 2015 Big East player of the year Kris Dunn, a do-it-all combo guard, and have been blown out of their seats by Bentil, a kid who scored in double figures only seven times all last season as a freshman. He has almost overnight turned into a dangerous player, adept at scoring in all sorts of ways, a big man as adept at getting fouled and hitting free throws as he is scoring in the mid-range and rebounding.

There are certain metrics that make the NBA guys' eyes pop and alert them to someone with not only present skill but growth potential. One of them is the combination of rebounding and free throw percentage. Together, those two stats are indicators of hands both strong and dexterous, able to both clamp a board securely but also deliver a 15-foot shot with touch.

Find another guy in college basketball player who has hit 118 free throws already at an .814 clip but also is averaging 8 rebounds. I'll save you the work; it's a very short list. Add in his 20.0 scoring average and you have one of the most productive players in the college game.

Bentil runs the floor well, has a soft, fluid mid-range face-up jumper and is beginning to perfect a baby hook that's been lethal this season. You may have seen it during his 31-point, 13-board output in the overtime upset of Villanova on Sunday or his 25 points in hard-fought home loss to Xavier on Tuesday night. He was terrific in both games.

About all that Bentil lacks to become a textbook NBA stretch player is a dependable 3-ball, a la Kawhi Leonard. He's working on it and his stroke looks smooth but his arc is a bit flat and his percentage is an inadequate .271. Give him time; Leonard wasn't very steady from three at San Diego State, either (just .291 his last college season as a sophomore).


Needs a little more work but seems like he could be a cross between Sully and Mickey's positive aspects.  I don't think he'll last to the second round so I wouldn't mind seeing Danny use the C's 1st rounder on him but if lasted to the Philly pick, Danny should snag him IMHO.

Thoughts? 

[CFAN38]

I went to his game vs Umass and was really impressed. As long as he measures out to be him listed 6'9 I cant see a situation where he doesn't go top 20 if he declares.

[Csfan1984]

I'm thinking Wolves second.

[Kuberski33]

The Celtics have to take him in the 1st Round.  If he goes 2nd round he'll return to Providence.  But I'm thinking he may not sign even if the Celtics take him.  Play a year in Portland or be the franchise at Providence for a year under a good coach and then potentially go lottery next year.  I think he'd pick PC.

But if Danny could be given an assurance that he'd sign, I'd absolutely take him. 

[Csfan1984]

The Celtics have to take him in the 1st Round.  If he goes 2nd round he'll return to Providence.  But I'm thinking he may not sign even if the Celtics take him.  Play a year in Portland or be the franchise at Providence for a year under a good coach and then potentially go lottery next year.  I think he'd pick PC.

But if Danny could be given an assurance that he'd sign, I'd absolutely take him.

You can't actually sign up for draft without an agent I believe. Even if you declare it's only about going through the pre-draft process. There is a pull out date. After that date though you need an agent and once you have an agent you lose college eligibility. He can't be drafted and just go back to school.

[lefty12]

Bentil not ready for nba - but he will get an opportunity to improve in d-league

His selfishness - after scouts noticed potential - was a big reason pc underachieved during middle of their season

Dunn is also very over-rated unless your draftin potential

Neither player gets celts what they need

[hwangjini_1]

it was only one game, but didnt kentucy eat him alive last fall? does he have the talent to over come the speed and strength of nba guards is what i wonder.

[colincb]

it was only one game, but didnt Kentucky eat him alive last fall? does he have the talent to over come the speed and strength of nba guards is what i wonder.

PC didn't play Kentucky this season and he's not a guard.

[Csfan1984]

it was only one game, but didnt Kentucky eat him alive last fall? does he have the talent to over come the speed and strength of nba guards is what i wonder.

PC didn't play Kentucky this season and he's not a guard.

I thought he was talking about Dunn.

[colincb]

Bentil not ready for nba - but he will get an opportunity to improve in d-league

His selfishness - after scouts noticed potential - was a big reason pc underachieved during middle of their season

Dunn is also very over-rated unless your draftin potential

Neither player gets celts what they need

Providence's problems had nothing to do with Bentil or Dunn. They had no one else that stepped up consistently, many games where no one else stepped up, and had injury and illness issues. Both of these guys should be first rounders and there's nobody in this draft that will be what the Celtics need right away.

[CletusVanDamme]

PC grad and huge Friar fan here, watched every game the Friars played this year, and Bentil is a beast.

He's got a smooth shot, hits his free throws, can bang down low with good post moves, loves to operate on the baseline, can hit 10-15 foot jumpers, or stretch out to 3 point range.  Solid rebounder, not the most willing passer (but also didn't have many teammates other than Dunn who could hit a shot).  His growth from last year was exponential.  One of the biggest year to year leaps I've ever seen.  Best of all he plays with heart, energy, positive attitude, and team first mentality.  He's mentioned KG as a big influence, doesn't back down from anyone, and plays with a chip on his shoulder.  I love him as a player and love rooting for him.

All that being said, imo he's not NBA ready. All the things he does well will be much harder for him against NBA players.  He benefitted hugely from Dunn drawing all the defenses attention.  He's undersized for the next level and will benefit from another year of reps at the college level, especially as the best player on the team.  He's got a lot more room to grow.

I don't think anyone's taking him in the first round, or even until the latter part of the second, and if they do he's gonna be a dleaguer for a year or more. His weaknesses will be exposed at the next level.  I think he's just testing the draft waters to see what he can do to improve and be a first round pick in 2017.

But hey, maybe I just want him to stay a Friar!

[colincb]

it was only one game, but didnt Kentucky eat him alive last fall? does he have the talent to over come the speed and strength of nba guards is what i wonder.

PC didn't play Kentucky this season and he's not a guard.

I thought he was talking about Dunn.

The thread's about Bentil, but Dunn didn't play Kentucky this year either.

[colincb]

PC grad and huge Friar fan here, watched every game the Friars played this year, and Bentil is a beast.

He's got a smooth shot, hits his free throws, can bang down low with good post moves, loves to operate on the baseline, can hit 10-15 foot jumpers, or stretch out to 3 point range.  Solid rebounder, not the most willing passer (but also didn't have many teammates other than Dunn who could hit a shot).  His growth from last year was exponential.  One of the biggest year to year leaps I've ever seen.  Best of all he plays with heart, energy, positive attitude, and team first mentality.  He's mentioned KG as a big influence, doesn't back down from anyone, and plays with a chip on his shoulder.  I love him as a player and love rooting for him.

All that being said, imo he's not NBA ready. All the things he does well will be much harder for him against NBA players.  He benefitted hugely from Dunn drawing all the defenses attention.  He's undersized for the next level and will benefit from another year of reps at the college level, especially as the best player on the team.  He's got a lot more room to grow.

I don't think anyone's taking him in the first round, or even until the latter part of the second, and if they do he's gonna be a dleaguer for a year or more. His weaknesses will be exposed at the next level.  I think he's just testing the draft waters to see what he can do to improve and be a first round pick in 2017.

But hey, maybe I just want him to stay a Friar!

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2016/story/_/id/15053497/ben-bentil-providence-friars-declare-nba-draft

"Providence Friars sophomore forward Ben Bentil has decided to declare for the NBA draft but said he will not hire an agent.

Bentil's teammate, Kris Dunn, made it official earlier in the week that he will hire an agent -- ending his college career.

The 6-foot-9 Bentil averaged 21.1 points and 7.7 rebounds -- and was arguably the most improved player in the country.

"I have decided to declare for the NBA draft and go through the workout process over the next six weeks," Bentil said in a statement. "I intend on staying in school this spring and finishing my sophomore year. I am not hiring an agent so that I have the option of returning to Providence College for my junior season."

According to multiple NBA executives, Bentil projects to be drafted from 20th to 45th overall.

With the change in the draft process, Bentil can take advantage of a rule that allows players to withdraw 10 days after the conclusion of the NBA combine.

The deadline to withdraw this year is May 25."

[CletusVanDamme]

Thanks for the link. I'll be real happy for Ben if he goes first round, but sad for PC!

[hwangjini_1]

it was only one game, but didnt Kentucky eat him alive last fall? does he have the talent to over come the speed and strength of nba guards is what i wonder.

PC didn't play Kentucky this season and he's not a guard.

well, other than that, it was a great post.