Ben Strong : An NBA player?

[hasanova]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

[mybleedinghands]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

[baselinejam]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie - I'm with you. It's nice to have a dream; when morning comes you wake up. Lighting everyone who is 3 or 4 inches shorter than you is no big deal (see Bienemann vs. E&H last night). A couple of years ago I heard that Hawaii & BYU were interested in Ben. There aren't too many NBA players coming out of those schools. Even the D-League has a bunch of large, physical, quick people. A "B" League in Europe is his best hope to postpone adulthood. I hope he has good grades with a strong major because that will better serve his future. He sounds like a nice young man; but lets get serious folks - he ain't going to the show.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie, I've been trying to track this down (with no success), but I vaguely recall that both Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire were attendees at Pete Newell's camps - whether that is correct (and whether it would have overlapped Ben's participation), I can't say.  But just in case, I hope you didn't bet too heavily!

You've seen him; I haven't.  But from what I've read, it seems like his 'deficiencies' wouldn't be insurmountable for a professional strength trainer (and I'm NOT hinting at 'roids!); he seems to have the work-ethic it would take.

Dennie Bridges taught Jack Sikma a move that greatly helped him become a 7-time NBA all-star.  From what I've read, Ben is already a more polished player than Jack was then (though Jack was naturally more 'beefy' than Ben).  I'm extremely hopeful that Ben will make a splash (even if, as I suspect, he may have to go through Europe or the D-league to do it).

[mybleedinghands]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie, I've been trying to track this down (with no success), but I vaguely recall that both Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire were attendees at Pete Newell's camps - whether that is correct (and whether it would have overlapped Ben's participation), I can't say.  But just in case, I hope you didn't bet too heavily!

You've seen him; I haven't.  But from what I've read, it seems like his 'deficiencies' wouldn't be insurmountable for a professional strength trainer (and I'm NOT hinting at 'roids!); he seems to have the work-ethic it would take.

Dennie Bridges taught Jack Sikma a move that greatly helped him become a 7-time NBA all-star.  From what I've read, Ben is already a more polished player than Jack was then (though Jack was naturally more 'beefy' than Ben).  I'm extremely hopeful that Ben will make a splash (even if, as I suspect, he may have to go through Europe or the D-league to do it).

nba is a totally different game nowadays. sikma didn't have to guard 6'10 players who could put the ball on the floor from the perimeter and drive to the paint or shoot the three ball on a daily basis. there may have been a few, but not nearly as many as there are now. Strong simply doesn't have the frame to put on much more weight and he can only get so much quicker regardless of what kind of workout regimen he goes through...

[Hugenerd]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie, I've been trying to track this down (with no success), but I vaguely recall that both Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire were attendees at Pete Newell's camps - whether that is correct (and whether it would have overlapped Ben's participation), I can't say.  But just in case, I hope you didn't bet too heavily!

You've seen him; I haven't.  But from what I've read, it seems like his 'deficiencies' wouldn't be insurmountable for a professional strength trainer (and I'm NOT hinting at 'roids!); he seems to have the work-ethic it would take.

Dennie Bridges taught Jack Sikma a move that greatly helped him become a 7-time NBA all-star.  From what I've read, Ben is already a more polished player than Jack was then (though Jack was naturally more 'beefy' than Ben).  I'm extremely hopeful that Ben will make a splash (even if, as I suspect, he may have to go through Europe or the D-league to do it).

Even if Stoudamire and Howard didnt go to the camp, here is a list of players who did (from Newell's Camp's website): "Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwan, Scottie Pippen, Bernard King, James Worthy, Sean Elliott, Jermaine O'Neal, Tayshaun Prince, Kenyon Martin, Shawn Marion, Shawn Kemp, Antawn Jamison, A.C. Green, Horace Grant, Tyson Chandler, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Kwame Brown just to name a few."  In addition to that, I hear he is working with Andrew Bynum closely (at least before he got hurt).  Pete Newell's camp isnt a joke, NBA level talent goes through there.  Obviously not everyone who goes there gets into the league, but I dont think its an experience to laugh at.

Also from the site, "The camp's impressive participants list features over 200 current and former NBA players."

[Gregory Sager]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie - I'm with you. It's nice to have a dream; when morning comes you wake up. Lighting everyone who is 3 or 4 inches shorter than you is no big deal (see Bienemann vs. E&H last night). A couple of years ago I heard that Hawaii & BYU were interested in Ben. There aren't too many NBA players coming out of those schools. Even the D-League has a bunch of large, physical, quick people. A "B" League in Europe is his best hope to postpone adulthood. I hope he has good grades with a strong major because that will better serve his future. He sounds like a nice young man; but lets get serious folks - he ain't going to the show.

I wouldn't be so quick to write him off. After all, there have been three D3 players within the last decade who have made it to the NBA: Devean George (Augsburg), Horace Jenkins (William Paterson), and Andy Panko (Lebanon Valley). Given Strong's size, skills, and proven track record for improving his game, it's not at all unreasonable to think that he could follow in the footsteps of those three players.

I think it's more a question of whether or not he could stick if he made it to the NBA. Jenkins and Panko were there on ten-day contracts, similar to the scenario that played out for Christopher Newport's Lamont Strothers in an earlier era, and neither Jenkins nor Panko hung around for anything longer than a cup of coffee. In fact, Panko's career consisted of exactly one minute played for the Atlanta Hawks in a game during the 2001 season. Devean George is the only D3 player who has managed to make a sustained career for himself in the NBA over the past decade; prior to him, the only D3 alumni who had gotten regular minutes in the NBA as reserves were North Park's Michael Harper (1981 and 1982 seasons) and College of New Jersey's Greg Grant (1990 thru 1996 seasons).

I think it's entirely likely that Strong could make it to the NBA -- but never be anything more than a basketball-reference.com footnote, a la Jenkins, Panko, and Strothers.

[mybleedinghands]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie, I've been trying to track this down (with no success), but I vaguely recall that both Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire were attendees at Pete Newell's camps - whether that is correct (and whether it would have overlapped Ben's participation), I can't say.  But just in case, I hope you didn't bet too heavily!

You've seen him; I haven't.  But from what I've read, it seems like his 'deficiencies' wouldn't be insurmountable for a professional strength trainer (and I'm NOT hinting at 'roids!); he seems to have the work-ethic it would take.

Dennie Bridges taught Jack Sikma a move that greatly helped him become a 7-time NBA all-star.  From what I've read, Ben is already a more polished player than Jack was then (though Jack was naturally more 'beefy' than Ben).  I'm extremely hopeful that Ben will make a splash (even if, as I suspect, he may have to go through Europe or the D-league to do it).

Even if Stoudamire and Howard didnt go to the camp, here is a list of players who did (from Newell's Camp's website): "Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwan, Scottie Pippen, Bernard King, James Worthy, Sean Elliott, Jermaine O'Neal, Tayshaun Prince, Kenyon Martin, Shawn Marion, Shawn Kemp, Antawn Jamison, A.C. Green, Horace Grant, Tyson Chandler, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Kwame Brown just to name a few."  In addition to that, I hear he is working with Andrew Bynum closely (at least before he got hurt).  Pete Newell's camp isnt a joke, NBA level talent goes through there.  Obviously not everyone who goes there gets into the league, but I dont think its an experience to laugh at.

Also from the site, "The camp's impressive participants list features over 200 current and former NBA players."

I highly doubt Ben Strong was going up against any of those players at the camp considering the years Strong went, especially considering the professional players practice at a different time then the college players.

[baselinejam]

I'm a Guilford alumnus and live in Greensboro, NC, so I've had the privilege to see Ben Strong develop rapidly over the last four years.  He went from about 10 ppg in a back-up role his freshman year to about 19 ppg and ODAC first team as a sophomore.   Last year, as a junior, many of you know he had a break-out year as DIII POY.  He hit over 25 per game, including a 59 point outburst in a 3OT NCAA Sweet 16 game.  This year, I think his lowest game was 13 and his high was 39.  He's at 25.7 through 21 games with over 11 boards.   Lately, his game has elevated, with 28-34 ppg being the norm.  As a team, Guilford is playing well (17-4) and the Quakers have a 9 game win streak going.  They lost a few early as the team adapted to new guards and while 6'10" Tyler Sanborn recovered from an injury. 

Ben's gained about 20 pounds and more muscle at Guilford, but he'll take a bit of a beating in the NBA.  He handles the ball like a guard and has great court savvy.  I saw Bob Kauffman, David Smith, World B. Free and M.L Carr at Guilford and Ben's a legit player too!  The rap, I'm sure, will be the level of competition in DIII where few opposing players are over 6'7".  Ben's been to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp every summer, however, and I hear he's handled himself well!

I hope he gets drafted in the NBA, but Europe is definitely in the cards!

I bet he's never had to face a Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire at Big Man Camp! 

Scottie, I've been trying to track this down (with no success), but I vaguely recall that both Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire were attendees at Pete Newell's camps - whether that is correct (and whether it would have overlapped Ben's participation), I can't say.  But just in case, I hope you didn't bet too heavily!

You've seen him; I haven't.  But from what I've read, it seems like his 'deficiencies' wouldn't be insurmountable for a professional strength trainer (and I'm NOT hinting at 'roids!); he seems to have the work-ethic it would take.

Dennie Bridges taught Jack Sikma a move that greatly helped him become a 7-time NBA all-star.  From what I've read, Ben is already a more polished player than Jack was then (though Jack was naturally more 'beefy' than Ben).  I'm extremely hopeful that Ben will make a splash (even if, as I suspect, he may have to go through Europe or the D-league to do it).

Sikma was also invited to the '76 Olympic trials. Even though he didn't make the team I was impressed with his game then. He stood out in what was essentially a college all-star scrimmage. To go further Sikma became an NBA All-star. He was special. Please don't take this the wrong way - Ben Strong isn't that kind of special.

[hasanova]

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501

Not saying this guy knows what he's talking about, but here's a site that assesses DII, DIII and NAIA players for NBA potential.  Scroll down and you'll see what he has to say about Strong.

[mybleedinghands]

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501

Not saying this guy knows what he's talking about, but here's a site that assesses DII, DIII and NAIA players for NBA potential.  Scroll down and you'll see what he has to say about Strong.

Well it appears he doesn't have any D2, D3, or NAIA guys being drafted on his mock draft.

[hasanova]

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501

Not saying this guy knows what he's talking about, but here's a site that assesses DII, DIII and NAIA players for NBA potential.  Scroll down and you'll see what he has to say about Strong.

Well it appears he doesn't have any D2, D3, or NAIA guys being drafted on his mock draft.

Drafted players obviously have a better chance, but others are always signed for developmental leagues.  We'll see ...

[mybleedinghands]

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501

Not saying this guy knows what he's talking about, but here's a site that assesses DII, DIII and NAIA players for NBA potential.  Scroll down and you'll see what he has to say about Strong.

Well it appears he doesn't have any D2, D3, or NAIA guys being drafted on his mock draft.

Drafted players obviously have a better chance, but others are always signed for developmental leagues.  We'll see ...

Yep, but of all places to have a non-d1/international drafted, I would think it would be this website seeing as how their focus is on D3/D3/NAIA.

[baselinejam]

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3501

Not saying this guy knows what he's talking about, but here's a site that assessesDII, DIII and NAIA players for NBA potential.  Scroll down and you'll see what he has to say about Strong.

Well it appears he doesn't have any D2, D3, or NAIA guys being drafted on his mock draft.

Drafted players obviously have a better chance, but others are always signed for developmental leagues.  We'll see ...

Let's gain some perspective - 60 players will be drafted. Last year 13 were foreign, Eyeballing the list at least 25 were underclassmen. My question - Is Ben Strong one of he best 22 senior hoopsters in the country and if so which ACC team would he start on? My answers are "no & none".

[NYBB]

I work out with Mike Dunleavy Jr. & Troy Murphy in the summers at the Sports Club L/A in NYC and I'm sure Ben Strong could play with both of them...i'm not saying he could dominate these guys but he could stick with them.