Former OU Player Benson, Now in NBA, Immortalized With Retired Jersey

In his five years at , Keith Benson gave his coaches, teammates and supporters unquantifiable value and a host of memories, while helping elevate the status of his still-young Division 1 college basketball program.

Whether it was a thundering slam dunk or one of his signature blocks of an opponent's shot, Benson excited O'rena crowds and helped bring national notoriety to the Golden Grizzlies at an unparalleled level.

On Monday night, the Oakland community and athletics department gave the former OU star something in return — a documented place in its history.

At halftime of the , Benson became just the third player in OU history to be bestowed with a retired jersey. His familiar No. 34 was immortalized with a banner on the wall and he was honored at mid-court with rousing ovation.

The always soft-spoken Benson, alongside his mother, was presented with a framed jersey, as his most memorable game highlights played on the scoreboard above.

"I knew three things," associate head coach Jeff Tungate said to the crowd, telling the origin story of Benson's record-breaking career. "No. 1, I knew Keith had a very supportive family and a very supportive mother that was going to help him achieve his dreams and push him toward his goals.

"I knew, No. 2, that he played for a great high school coach in Kurt Keener, and at (Birmingham Detroit) Country Day, he knew how to win.

"And I knew, No. 3, that (Keith) wanted to become great. And as the weeks went by, the months went by, and the years went by, we saw his confidence continue to grow and grow until we all realized that Keith Benson would be playing in the NBA."

A native of Farmington Hills, Benson watched as his banner was revealed along previous honorees Rawle Marshall (No. 1, 2002-05) and Scott Bittinger (No. 5, 1984-88).

In June, the 6-foot-11 center became the . He was taken in the second round, 48th overall, by the Atlanta Hawks.

A member of the winningest graduating class in program history (91 wins), Benson earned Summit League Player of the Year honors twice and helped lead OU to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2011.

"I think when my class came in, we really started a winning tradition," Benson said. "The year before I got here, (Oakland) had a disappointing year and I think we helped fill up the arena and get us to the (NCAA) tournament and onto people's brackets. We made the school a known place around the nation."

In his final two seasons with the Grizzlies, Benson averaged 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His 371 career blocks are a school and conference record.

"I never expected I would be one of the first three people to get my jersey retired here," Benson said. "I was just trying to (become) as good as I could and improve every year."

Soon to make his NBA debut, fans will have an opportunity to see Benson play again in-person on Jan. 13 when the Hawks visit The Palace of Auburn Hills to face the Detroit Pistons.