Mike Benton

Full Name: Michael Malik Benton
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6-9 / 270
Birthdate: April 8, 1980 (Covington, GA)
High School: Newton County HS (Covington, GA)
College: College of Charleston

BACKGROUND

Career Highlights: Finished collegiate career as the school's second all-time leader in blocked shots (221) in its Division I history. As a senior, became the first player in the school's Division I history to record six or more blocks in three consecutive games. Sat out the 2000-01 season as a redshirt.

Senior (2003-04): Averaged 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.8 blocked shots. Started 28 of 29 games. Posted six double-doubles. Matched career-high with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting, grabbed ten rebounds, and blocked five shots at Coastal Carolina. Tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks against Bucknell. Recorded 19 points and ten rebounds against East Tennessee State. Blocked career-high seven shots against UNC-Wilmington. Scored 14 points and grabbed career-high 15 rebounds against Chattanooga in the Southern Conference Tournament.

Junior (2002-03): Averaged 9.1 points, a team-high 6.5 rebounds (sixth in the league), and 2.3 blocked shots (ranked second) in 23.0 minutes a contest. Started 29 of 32 games. Ranked second in the Southern Conference in field goal percentage (60.5 percent). Recorded five double-doubles. Led the Great Alaska Shootout with nine blocks. Recorded season-high 20 points against Wofford. Posted back-to-back double-doubles in the Southern Conference Tournament, with 11 points and ten rebounds against Georgia Southern and 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds against East Tennessee State.

Redshirt Sophomore (2001-02): Averaged 5.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots in 19.0 minutes a contest. Started 14 of 28 games. Scored season-high 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Chattanooga. Blocked season-high six shots in the rematch. Matched season-high with 16 points and snared season-high 13 rebounds against Western Carolina. Tallied ten points and nine rebounds against Appalachian State in the Southern Conference Tournament.

Freshman (1999-00): Averaged 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.7 minutes a contest. Posted season-high eight points against Furman. Grabbed season-high seven rebounds against East Tennessee State.

Personal: Nickname is 'Big Mike'. Favorite food is pizza. Enjoys playing video games in his spare time.