The state of North Carolina is blessed with an overabundance of talent. In the North Carolina 2018 class, 60 plus players signed with D1 schools and another 40 plus signed to play at the D2, D3, NAIA or Juco level. Quite impressive numbers! This year, the 2019 class is on the same course to have 100 plus players continue to play at the collegiate level. In our unsigned senior spotlight, we want to take a closer look at 6’9 Ben Beeker of Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is someone that we strongly feel is a scholarship-worthy player.
Basketball has been trending towards a more space and perimeter-oriented game over the last decade or so, but that should make guys like Beeker even more useful. The art of the mismatch has arguably become more important for multiple reasons, but mainly that coaches are no longer as afraid to give up size and go small or they’ll be open to switching everything. That’s where someone like Beeker enters and simply wreaks havoc on his opponent’s lack of size. He’s big, strong, and a capable leader, which has been a clear part of Hendersonville’s strong 19-2 record this season. So far, Beeker is posting nightly averages of 17.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 2.2 blocks while shooting an impressive 55% from the floor and embracing his style of play. He’s consistently done whatever this team requires, including less offensive touches and more emphasis on rebounding.
We’ve seen the big man various times throughout the last few years, but he’s basically been the same productive two-way player at each stop along the way. In July of 2017, our own Jamie Shaw stated, “There is something to be said about a throwback type of big man. A big who strongly rebounds his area, has a go-to move within 10 feet of the basket, a big who has patience on the block (on both ends) creating opportunities for his team. Beeker does all of this. He still needs strength and is still growing into his body, but Beeker is one to monitor closely as he develops, he averaged a double/double during this event.” This was nearly two years ago as a rising junior, which makes Beeker’s lack of offers even more perplexing. He has high academics and checks virtually every box that college coaches should be looking for in a traditional big. Division I coaches are smart, so it’s likely that Beeker will see an uptick in his recruitment sooner than later.
Be sure to check out our entire list of unsigned seniors https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/news-photos/unsigned-seniors