Although coming from a basketball family, Streetsboro Rockets’ center Naomi Benson acknowledged that she had a tough time seeing herself following in her brothers’ footsteps at an early age. Things changed and as she begins her fourth and final year on the Rocket girls’ basketball team, Benson will do so with plans to continue her career at the next level after formally announcing her decision to commit to the University of Illinois last Friday afternoon at Streetsboro High School.
“Hail to the Orange,” Benson said after unveiling her Illinois shirt underneath her jacket. “I just appreciate everyone here supporting the basketball team and supporting me through all four years or longer. Illinois is going to be the fit for me. I know it and feel it in my gut. I hope you all come to some Illinois games.”
After a lengthy recruitment, the 6-foot-3 center entered the homestretch having narrowed her choices to Illinois, the University of Michigan and Virginia Tech.
“I chose the University of Illinois because ever since I stepped foot on the University’s campus, I loved it,” she told The Weekly Villager. “I knew that was the spot for me. I knew it was home, it felt like home so let’s have a go.”
The Streetsboro senior becomes the first girls’ basketball player in school history to ink an athletic commitment with a Power Five program.
“I think it is great fit,” Rockets’ Coach Carl Singer told The Weekly Villager. “She is always such a positive kid and had such good things to say about everywhere but it definitely had a different feel when she talked about Illinoi. It is not a school that is crazy far away like some of the other options, so I am excited for her.”
In her first three seasons at Streetsboro, Benson has averaged 15.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.6 steals in 77 games. She has already eclipsed 1,000 points in her varsity career and has set the school record for most rebounds by a Rocket girls’ basketball player, currently sitting with 976.
Benson scheduled an official announcement to take place in the Streetsboro High School Auditorium after classes ended.
Athletic Director Randy Tevepaugh introduced Benson before handing the microphone to the 10-year coach.
“I’m really excited for you,” Singer said. “I am also going to really miss you but we have a full season ahead of us. It has been a fast four years. We did a lot of great things in those three years so far and I know we are going to have another great season this year. You have represented our team, the school and yourself so well and I hope you are going to continue to do that at the next level.”
Rockets’ senior guard Sydney Abbuhl offered a few encouraging remarks to her teammate.
“You have pushed yourself every single day to be better than the day you were before,” she noted. “I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of you. You have always been the one that has pushed yourself and everyone around you to become better whether it was in practice or in games, you always give it everything you have. You have earned this moment and I know you are going to keep showing out at the next level.”
Senior guard Raegan Hendon then congratulated Benson on her journey thus far.
“Your leadership has made a huge impact on the team, you always make sure everyone is having a good day, even when you are having a bad one yourself,” she told Benson. “You always pick your teammates up in practice every day. As you enter the collegiate level, your family and your friends and your Rocket family will always support you. When times get tough, keep your head up and never let anyone bring you down.”
A video of Benson’s athletic career then played on the big screen which also chronicled her recruitment journey. After the video ended, another brief video played which announced Benson’s decision to commit to Illinois.
Illinois Coach Shauna Green recorded a video that played after Benson’s official announcement.
“We cannot wait to get you here,” Green said in her video. “You know how important you are to our future, you are going to have unbelievable career here at Illinois. Welcome to the family and enjoy the moment with all of your family and friends today, you deserve it and we can’t wait to get you here in Champaign.”
With Benson’s college decision having been made official, she said that the only thing left is to help the Rockets go all the way in her final season.
