The redshirt freshman guard took advantage of his season on the bench in an effort to make an impact this coming season
Red shirt freshman Jack Benter isn’t used to having to sit out and watch games given his propensity to score in bunches during his high school career, one that ended with him leading his Brownstown Central team to a 2024 state title. Benter was a known commodity as a scorer having finished his career 11th on the Indiana high school all time scoring list (2,550) and being named runner up in the voting for Mr. Basketball to Kokomo’s Flory Bidunga (Kansas).
Benter fits the mold of what has not only made Purdue successful but what has brought them to the pinnacle of college basketball over the last decade. A tall guard with a quick trigger from behind the arc, Benter came into Purdue with comparisons of former Purdue players Dakota Mathias and Sasha Stefanovic. While those are completely fair to make, Benter has a distinct advantage over both of those guards that ended up being two of the best shooters in program history: athleticism.
Purdue commit Jack Benter broke a backboard tonight. #videogame https://t.co/gjlkIkhSLS
— ISC Purdue (@ISC_PU) January 14, 2023
As Benter enters his first season where he will be able to contribute playing time, he is going to have to play a very distinct role for a program that has legitimate national title hopes. Purdue isn’t going to lack shooters next year with Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and CJ Cox all being 38% or better from behind the arc while Gicarri Harris shot 43.8% in the final seven games. Adding another guard who is able to handle the ball at a high level, make smart passes, and finish catch-and-shoot opportunities is exactly how guards are always going to find minutes under Matt Painter. What Benter brings is a bit more athleticism than those other bigger guards have had.
At 6’5 and 210lbs, Benter has shown an ability to finish above the rim in high school but in college he will need to convert that athleticism into being a good defender to find the floor next season. With Loyer, Harris, and incoming freshman Omer Mayer, Benter has all the intangibles you want from a player at his position. He was noted to make plays in practices this past season as part of the scout team, notably a high level of passing and shooting. Benter simply reflects the kind of player that Matt Painter wants to have in his program: a skilled, smart player who isn’t going to make mistakes that causes Purdue to lose games in tight situations.
Next season, Benter likely won’t play a ton of minutes but he’ll be able to find the floor more as the season progresses if he stays consistent and builds trust. This off season should be the first step for Benter to take on a bigger role for the 2026 season rather than this upcoming one. Purdue is going to lose what may go down as the best B1G backcourt in history in Smith and Loyer and although there are players there ready to step into the void, Benter stands as a player who could eventually be a guy that takes a leading role down the line.