Note: This is part of an ongoing series previewing the 2009-10 Hoyas.
Jerrelle Benimon is the 
latest member of the 2009-10 freshman class, having committed in late April 2009.
From all accounts, Georgetown was as much a Benimon recruit as vice versa. His only other Division I offers were from Old Dominion and Longwood, not exactly hoops royalty, despite the Monarchs’ shocker over the Hoyas a few seasons back. Benimon’s low profile seems to be due in part to injuries that prevented him from playing AAU ball (and therefore from exposure to scouts). Perhaps the Hoyas sent a scout out after reading about how unnoticed Benimon had gone.
Still, two posters to this blog were ourselves admitted off the wait-list and went on to decent academic (if not hoops) careers, so let’s give the kid a chance. Benimon, a 6’8″ power forward, had a superb senior season at Fauquier High in nearby Warrenton, Virginia. He averaged 21 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 blocks per outing, and even notching a quadruple-double in one game. As his stat line suggests, he has a well-rounded skill set, which should allow him to fit in well once he learns the offense. (Either videos of Benimon are not available, or he’s been spending his summer engaging in a Lorne Michaels-esque scrubbing of the Internets.) Still, reports from the Kenner League suggest that he’ll make the most impact as a high-energy, scrappy role player.
Whether Henry Sims or Julian Vaughn starts opposite Greg Monroe in the post, expect to see Benimon contribute a limited number of minutes in relief, and look for his development as a versatile post player.
