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Hear From Friar Great Ben Bentil
5/6/2020 11:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Friars.com conducted a question and answer session with former Friar center.
Q and A With Friar Great Ben Bentil –
Ben Bentil, a 6-9 forward who helped lead Providence to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, had a breakout sophomore season for the Friars in 2016. He was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. He also was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player and First Team All-BIG EAST after he led the conference in scoring (21.1 ppg) and finished fourth in the league in rebounding (7.7 rpg). Bentil scored 20 or more points in 21 of the team's 35 games, including a season-high 42 points at Marquette on Feb. 11, 2016. His 42-point effort versus Marquette is the most points ever scored by a Providence sophomore in a game. His 738 points scored for the season ranks as the sixth highest single-season total ever at Providence and most ever scored by a Friar sophomore. Bentil was selected in the Second Round (51st overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He continues to take classes while pursuing his bachelor's degree.
1)Ben, since your final season at Providence in 2016, you have played a lot of basketball. Can you tell the fans where you played most recently and how that experience was for you?
I just finished playing for Panathinaikos BC from Athens Greece in the Euroleague. I was coached by the famous Rick Pitino [former Friar Head Coach]. The experience was great as I learned a lot from a Hall Of Fame coach and I also got to play with and against some of the best players I grew up watching.
2)What is the climate like where you are living now and are you able to work out during the pandemic?
It's similar to summer in Athens now. It doesn't snow during the winter and weather has been great. I've been working from home and getting some shots up at some outside courts to polish my game up and stay in shape.
3)Your sophomore season was special in 2016, you were BIG EAST Most Improved Player, First Team All-BIG EAST, and Honorable Mention All-American, -- what do think helped you make such a jump from your freshman year to your sophomore year?
The transition from my freshman year to my sophomore year was mostly based on confidence and opportunities. The coaches always knew what I could do because I showed it during practices and I put in the extra work. Those factors, combined with the work and help of God Shammgod helped me to improve. It was a matter of just saying, "Ok Ben, this is your moment!" Also, the trust and confidence my teammates and the coaches had in me was a big part of it. I felt like if I did not perform, I was not only letting myself down, but I also was disappointing my teammates, coaches and all of Friartown.
4)You and Kris Dunn combined to be one of the most potent duos in the NCAA in 2016, you guys led the Friars to 24 wins, the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and not to mention, an overtime win over No. 4/4 Villanova, what is your fondest memory of that season?
Every single game during that season was a memorable one for me because of the fun the team was having as a group. Before the start of the season, Coach Cooley called a team meeting and put on the board, "Who are we?" His answer was: "The world thinks PC is a one-man team [Kris Dunn]." As a group, we all knew we were much more than that. I loved my entire team, but I was really close with Kris Dunn, Rodney Bullock and Junior Lomomba, so that statement by Coach Cooley was taken by me in two ways: 1) I gotta give my brother (Kris) some help and 2) It was disrespectful that the outsiders did not see what I was showing my freshman year so I had to prove myself. That 42-point game against Marquette was a great memory for me, but I think the BIG EAST Tournament game at Madison Square Garden against Butler was one of a kind. Just to be in the history books (38 points) was pretty cool. Also getting that NCAA win against USC was crazy as well.
5)You came back last summer to work out in the Ruane Development Center. What were your impressions of the new facility and what it will do for Friar basketball in the future?
Man, that facility is insane. Seeing it on paper and then actually seeing it in real life was amazing. I wish I was still there for an opportunity to practice in the facility. It's a great gym to work out in. There are more courts to perfect your game, there is plenty of room to play and there are no conflicts with other teams. There's no excuse now for not wanting to put in the extra work. I think this top-notch facility will help PC, not only by the players getting in the best work ever, but it also will help with landing some of the best recruits in the country. They will know they are coming to a NBA like facility to maximize their potential.
6)In your four years away from Friartown, what do you find that you miss most?
I miss my teammates and the Dunkin' Donuts Center. That place was packed every night and was buzzing. I miss how everyone was all about Friartown. I also miss the school and the campus life.
7) When you left Ghana in your early high school years, did you ever imagine the sport of basketball would take you to where you are now?
Not at all. I was trying to get myself a better education, get a decent job and help out my family. When I realized the game could take me to places and give me opportunities, I embraced it and fell in love with it. I loved school since I was young, so being at school was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I know this is the first time I'm saying this publicly, but I personally wanted to stay in Friartown. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep playing for PC because my family back in Ghana wasn't in the best condition. It was a matter of helping my mother make ends meet. She sacrificed everything for me. To see her suffer like that, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to help some way, some how. That's why I left school, but I never left my education. PC athletics and Bob Driscoll never turned their backs on me and still gave me the opportunity to finish out my degree online and I'm truly thankful and very appreciative of that.
8) Any final thoughts for Friar fans?
Friar fans I miss y'all and love y'all. Providence is home for me, and it will always be home. Keep on supporting all the teams (especially men's basketball). I also want to take this opportunity to say "THANK YOU" for an unbelievable two years that I spent with you guys. It was truly one of the best times in my life. I'll keep the Friar spirit going. Go Friars!
Ben Bentil, a 6-9 forward who helped lead Providence to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, had a breakout sophomore season for the Friars in 2016. He was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. He also was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player and First Team All-BIG EAST after he led the conference in scoring (21.1 ppg) and finished fourth in the league in rebounding (7.7 rpg). Bentil scored 20 or more points in 21 of the team's 35 games, including a season-high 42 points at Marquette on Feb. 11, 2016. His 42-point effort versus Marquette is the most points ever scored by a Providence sophomore in a game. His 738 points scored for the season ranks as the sixth highest single-season total ever at Providence and most ever scored by a Friar sophomore. Bentil was selected in the Second Round (51st overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He continues to take classes while pursuing his bachelor's degree.
1)Ben, since your final season at Providence in 2016, you have played a lot of basketball. Can you tell the fans where you played most recently and how that experience was for you?
I just finished playing for Panathinaikos BC from Athens Greece in the Euroleague. I was coached by the famous Rick Pitino [former Friar Head Coach]. The experience was great as I learned a lot from a Hall Of Fame coach and I also got to play with and against some of the best players I grew up watching.
2)What is the climate like where you are living now and are you able to work out during the pandemic?
It's similar to summer in Athens now. It doesn't snow during the winter and weather has been great. I've been working from home and getting some shots up at some outside courts to polish my game up and stay in shape.
3)Your sophomore season was special in 2016, you were BIG EAST Most Improved Player, First Team All-BIG EAST, and Honorable Mention All-American, -- what do think helped you make such a jump from your freshman year to your sophomore year?
The transition from my freshman year to my sophomore year was mostly based on confidence and opportunities. The coaches always knew what I could do because I showed it during practices and I put in the extra work. Those factors, combined with the work and help of God Shammgod helped me to improve. It was a matter of just saying, "Ok Ben, this is your moment!" Also, the trust and confidence my teammates and the coaches had in me was a big part of it. I felt like if I did not perform, I was not only letting myself down, but I also was disappointing my teammates, coaches and all of Friartown.
4)You and Kris Dunn combined to be one of the most potent duos in the NCAA in 2016, you guys led the Friars to 24 wins, the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and not to mention, an overtime win over No. 4/4 Villanova, what is your fondest memory of that season?
Every single game during that season was a memorable one for me because of the fun the team was having as a group. Before the start of the season, Coach Cooley called a team meeting and put on the board, "Who are we?" His answer was: "The world thinks PC is a one-man team [Kris Dunn]." As a group, we all knew we were much more than that. I loved my entire team, but I was really close with Kris Dunn, Rodney Bullock and Junior Lomomba, so that statement by Coach Cooley was taken by me in two ways: 1) I gotta give my brother (Kris) some help and 2) It was disrespectful that the outsiders did not see what I was showing my freshman year so I had to prove myself. That 42-point game against Marquette was a great memory for me, but I think the BIG EAST Tournament game at Madison Square Garden against Butler was one of a kind. Just to be in the history books (38 points) was pretty cool. Also getting that NCAA win against USC was crazy as well.
5)You came back last summer to work out in the Ruane Development Center. What were your impressions of the new facility and what it will do for Friar basketball in the future?
Man, that facility is insane. Seeing it on paper and then actually seeing it in real life was amazing. I wish I was still there for an opportunity to practice in the facility. It's a great gym to work out in. There are more courts to perfect your game, there is plenty of room to play and there are no conflicts with other teams. There's no excuse now for not wanting to put in the extra work. I think this top-notch facility will help PC, not only by the players getting in the best work ever, but it also will help with landing some of the best recruits in the country. They will know they are coming to a NBA like facility to maximize their potential.
6)In your four years away from Friartown, what do you find that you miss most?
I miss my teammates and the Dunkin' Donuts Center. That place was packed every night and was buzzing. I miss how everyone was all about Friartown. I also miss the school and the campus life.
7) When you left Ghana in your early high school years, did you ever imagine the sport of basketball would take you to where you are now?
Not at all. I was trying to get myself a better education, get a decent job and help out my family. When I realized the game could take me to places and give me opportunities, I embraced it and fell in love with it. I loved school since I was young, so being at school was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I know this is the first time I'm saying this publicly, but I personally wanted to stay in Friartown. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep playing for PC because my family back in Ghana wasn't in the best condition. It was a matter of helping my mother make ends meet. She sacrificed everything for me. To see her suffer like that, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to help some way, some how. That's why I left school, but I never left my education. PC athletics and Bob Driscoll never turned their backs on me and still gave me the opportunity to finish out my degree online and I'm truly thankful and very appreciative of that.
8) Any final thoughts for Friar fans?
Friar fans I miss y'all and love y'all. Providence is home for me, and it will always be home. Keep on supporting all the teams (especially men's basketball). I also want to take this opportunity to say "THANK YOU" for an unbelievable two years that I spent with you guys. It was truly one of the best times in my life. I'll keep the Friar spirit going. Go Friars!
Players Mentioned
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