Ben Strong : An NBA player?

[beachcv]

www.collegiatebasketballinvitational.com

He's on the Player Watch List.......

[GuilfordAlum]

Having played with ben, coached him, and also having talked to him about the newell camp, working amare's camp, lebron's camp, and yes having played with all those guys, how it went and so forth, i think ben has a legit shot at the league.
However, I am not sure on being drafted, because ben is seriously still raw from a physical stand point. He stopped growing in college, and can still benefit from a strength and conditioning program. He has good strength now, weighing in around 225, but he could still add about 25 more lbs and still be just as mobile. My opinion is that he should take a contract overseas, keeping developing on and off the court, and then attempt to make it into the league, but thats just my opinion.

[sdbrum]

Fellas- I was AT the Pete Newell Big Man Camp this past summer(at 8:30 EVERY morning to be exact! You try that in VEGAS-no mean feat) and I can assure ALL of you that Ben did extremely well, so much so that one of the reps from the Timberwolves(that's right-the NBA) and I were marveling at Ben's talent and ability.
Indeed, we also talked with some of the other scouts and coaches about Ben, and the running joke was 'where in the hell is Guilford?' All were in concurrence that Ben was a diamond in the rough.
Personally, I feel he needs to seriously hit the weights and add 25 lbs to stay competitive. Still, his skill level is extraordinary, and his footwork is magnificent!
Will he be a surprise draft pick? Hmm..I don't know. But a team with a dearth of big men(like the Lakers) could see him as a project PF. If Ben can get a dead-on outside shot, the sky's the limit.
Oh, and 'mybleedinghands': At this particular session of the Camp, there were only 3 pros this year(Solomon Jones, Justin Williams amd Roderick Riley), so yes, eveybody played against each other this year-no delineation between anybody. Bear in mind this is a TEACHING camp, not one of those joke AAU camps where it's only run-n-gun games. At the most, there were 3 on 3's. However, when each player was required to execute solo or team moves and drills,  Ben performed flawlessly. Believe me, some of the D1 players could not do these tasks as effortlessly as Ben, albeit they were much stronger and beefier specimens.
And for Amare and Dwight-these guys are ALL STARS! Very, very few can hold up to them! Also, we all are guilty of NBA draft hype-it takes most players a few years to get up to speed in the league.
So bottom line: I hope Ben gets drafted-I've been a fan since seeing him this summer. But, will it happen? The odds are against him. That being said, getting paid to play ANYWHERE is damn good thing! Europe ain't a bad deal. And, he can still make it to the league in a few years too.
BTW great book recommendation about pro ball at all levels: 'Can I Keep My Jersey?' by Paul Shirley. Getting to the NBA obviously takes talent, but a lot of luck and timing factor in too!
Good Luck to Ben Strong!
-SDBrum

GO LAKERS!!!!!

[sdbrum]

Oh yeah-almost forgot-Sikma used to try and guard a guy named Kareem- ever heard of him?
And Walton, and Parish and Cartwright and Lister and Malone and...you get the idea!
Sikma's over the head shot was pretty close to unstoppable and he backed down from NO ONE-helluva rebounder too!
No, he would NOT be guarding 6'10 perimiter players-he was a friggin' CENTER! A position that seems to be vanishing in the NBA........

And Joakim Noah SUCKS!!! UGH. What a NASTY game he has...and the WORST footwork EVER!!! Don't believe me? Watch for yourself. Not to mention one of the most HORRIBLE shots EVER. Can't stand the guy.  How is he in the NBA?

He is an example of NBA luck and timing-I personally feel Ben Strong has WAY more talent than this stiff. Noah will be out of the league soon enough, hopefully.
Perhaps to make room for Ben! That would be cool!

OK, now I'm outta here!!!

[sludge]

Not for the next few years, at least. 
Ben Strong signed a multi-year contract with professional team Haifa Heat, (also called Maccabi Haifa Heat)  located in northern Israel.  Here's a link to the  release.  (Ben played for D3 Guilford College the past four years.)
http://www.mhbasket.co.il/newsEng.asp?lang=en&id=362

The Haifa Heat plays in the Israel Premier league, reputedly one of the ten best leagues in the world.  The league participates in the European championship.  Haifa Heat just earned their way into the Premier league last year, so you could consider them up and coming.

Strong reportedly did a great job in a 50 player, two day tryout in Florida.  The players mainly had professional experience, some with ACC backgrounds.  Strong has some heavy traffic in front of him on the roster; he'll be working hard for playing time. It's a great development opportunity!

[sdbrum]

Fantastic! One of my rec league teammates played in that league and he says it's great competition. (he'll be in the Sac. Kings training camp in a few weeks-best of luck to him as well!) Good for Ben! I hope Ben develops a dead-on outside jumper with range, puts on the weight and continues to evolve his overall game. I still feel the NBA is a viable option for Ben-this is one of the first steps to getting there. I'll try to stay abreast of his situation as best I can.
Man, gettin' paid to play! Sludge, you must be proud!
BTW, would it be too much to ask what he signed for? I saw that it's a 2 year+options contract. Just curious!