Exactly four years ago on this day, Ben Bentil made history by becoming the first Ghana born player to be drafted into the world’s premier club basketball competition-the NBA.
The then 20 year old was drafted 51st overall by Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft after after starring in his second season at Providence College.
Bentil moved from Ghana to the United States at age 15 where he starred for St. Andrew’s School in Middletown in Delaware and earned a scholarship at Providence.
He registered a modest 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21 minutes in his freshman year but his improved form in his sophomore year got him into the NBA.
Averaging 21 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, he was named the All Big East Conference’s Most Improved Player. He teamed up with Kris Dunn-now with Chicago Bulls-to lead Providence to the second round of the American Colleges’ playoffs-the NCAA Tournament.
Despite not featuring in the NBA for Boston, Bentil played for Dallas Mavericks in the league and has made stops in China, Spain and France.
He last competed in Greece for Panathinaikos and won the Greek League title; before moving to the US, Bentil was raised in Sekondi.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
