Chris Beard, the head coach of Ole Miss basketball, reopened the transfer window and signed Hampton transfer Ja’Von Benson. Where will the 6-foot-8 forward slot into the Rebels’ depth chart?
On May 24, Ole Miss basketball received its sixth commitment from the transfer portal: 6-foot-8 forward Ja’Von Benson. According to On3, the Hampton transfer has committed to Chris Beard and the Rebels.
NEWS: Hampton transfer Ja’Von Benson has committed to Ole Miss, he tells @On3sports.
The 6-8 forward averaged 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in only 15.2 minutes per game this season. Began his career at South Carolina. https://t.co/vBvuslFnhS pic.twitter.com/GP7OWgLKUH
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 24, 2024
During his 2023 season with the Pirates, Benson averaged 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while playing 15.2 minutes per game. He spent his first three years of college at SEC rivals South Carolina, appearing in only 16 games.
Benson, a 2020 recruit, was ranked a three-star talent and the No. 5 overall player in his native state of South Carolina. He’ll have one year of eligibility left.
How will Chris Beard Utilize Hampton transfer, Ja’Von Benson?
Ja’Von Benson’s committment strengthens the Rebels’ frontcourt depth. The arrivals of Mikeal Brown-Jones, Dre Davis, and Davon Barnes from the transfer portal, along with returning forward Jaemyn Brakefield, give the Rebels a solid rotation.
Benson appeared in 32 games for Hampshire, starting 15 of them, and is a top depth player who could fight for a starter spot in 2024-25. The Rebels are adding a top rebounder, which is an area where Ole Miss struggled last season.
This is unlikely to be Chris Beard’s final addition to the roster. However, the depth chart is considerably stronger than last season on paper.
