Kent Benson had an excellent collegiate basketball career under coach Bobby Knight at Indiana University during the mid-1970s. In 1976 Benson helped the Indiana Hoosiers post a 32-0 season record, tying an undefeated mark set in 1957 by the North Carolina Tar Heels. In the 1976 NCAA Tournament, Kent , a center, along with forward Scott May combined for 40.8 points per game and 16.5 rebounds per game, and aided by the splendid all-around play of playmaking guard Quinn Buckner and forward Tom Abernathy won all five tournament games, by an average margin of victories of 13.2 points.
For his all-around play Kent Benson was voted the 1976 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
After his splendid college career Kent Benson was the first player selected in the 1977 NBA draft - chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks. After almost 3 seasons in MIlwaukee, 1977-8 thru 1979-80 he was traded to the Detroit Pistons in late-1979-80. There he had his best years, averaging over 12 points per game in three straight years 1979-80 thru 1981-82. In his 11-year NBA career he shot a blistering .493 field goal percentage.
Kent Benson career stats: 6168 points, 2578 FGM, 5224 FGA, .493 pct, 1005 FTM in 1327 FTA, a .757 pct, 3881 rebounds, 586 blocked shots. 9.1 ppg, 5.7 rebounds per/game, 1.8 assists per in 680 regular season games. He scored 137 points in 29 playoff games, in 5 postseason playoffs. |