Report: Oregon guard, Corona Del Sol product Casey Benson expected to transfer to GCU
Apr 13, 2017, 8:21 AM | Updated: 8:48 am
Oregon's Casey Benson answers questions after a practice session for their NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oregon junior and Corona Del Sol High School graduate Casey Benson will leave the Ducks as a graduate transfer, and the Register Guard’s Steve Mims reported Wednesday that the point guard is expected to join Grand Canyon’s basketball program.
Benson’s brother, T.J. Benson is an assistant coach for the Antelopes, who could see Benson replace graduating point guard DeWayne Russell, who led GCU by averaging 21.2 points and 5.4 assists per game last season.
While the transfer is not a done deal, others in the Portland media, like Oregonian John Canzano have acknowledged contact between the two parties.
Grand Canyon University sniffing around Ducks (graduate transfer) G Casey Benson. Can you see that?
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) April 13, 2017
The potential return to the Valley comes after Benson came off the bench in 2016-17 for Oregon, which played in the Final Four and fell to North Carolina in Glendale, Ariz., on April 1.
As a graduate transfer, he will be immediately eligible to play after he graduates this spring.
Benson announced his decision to transfer from Oregon earlier Wednesday via Twitter, though he did not name any potential landing spots.
— Casey Benson (@CaseyBenson15) April 13, 2017
After starting in his sophomore season, Benson lost his starting point guard role to Ducks freshman Payton Pritchard. His transfer was a surprise for an Oregon team that will lose starting guards Dylan Ennis and Tyler Dorsey.
Benson’s best season in 2015-16 saw him play 29 minutes per game and average 6 points and 3.1 assists per game. His playing time decreased to an average of 20 minutes per game this past season.
