Expectations for Ben Bentil’s Career with Boston Celtics

Can Ben Bentil become the team’s next Jared Sullinger?

Following being drafted 51st overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Bentil and the Boston Celtics signed a partially guaranteed three-year deal. While Bentil seems like a long shot to be the 15th player on the Celtics roster this season, his career with Boston seems far from over.

Bentil saw one of the biggest jumps in the nation when it came to his production from his freshman to sophomore season at Providence. Playing alongside fifth overall pick Kris Dunn, Bentil shined. He led the Big East in scoring with 21.1 points per game and also added 7.7 rebounds and one block per contest. He showcased a solid mid-range game, a developing three-point shot and effective rebounding, which led many to believe he was a possible first round pick.

With the immense interest in international players this year, Bentil, like many collegiate prospects, fell in the draft. He nearly went undrafted before the Celtics decided to take a chance on a player who may have benefitted from staying at Providence for one more season and proving to NBA teams that he could lead a team.

Still, at the time, Bentil was seen as one of the biggest steals in the draft, and arguably the best selection by the Celtics that night. In a mediocre front court, the Celtics potentially added a player who could help them in the near future. However, with the abundance of young talent on the roster, Bentil will likely spend his rookie season in Maine, refining his game.

To many people’s surprise, Bentil had a hard time finding minutes in summer league. He saw decent playing time in Utah when Jordan Mickey was sidelined with a shoulder injury, however he was easily forgotten with Mickey and Guerschon Yabusele taking over the front court. Although, Bentil still added four points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 offensive boards per game in 10.4 minutes.

For his minimal role, Bentil flashed positive signs about the player he could become and things he needs to work on. Overall, in eight games in which he never eclipsed 20 minutes in any game, it was hard to see the Celtics interest in the big man, making it that much more surprising that he got a partially guaranteed deal over Abdel Nader.

Despite improving his three-point percentage to 32.9 percent as a sophomore last season, the longer three-point line became an issue this summer. Bentil shot an atrocious 14.3 percent from three and his 31.6 field-goal percentage highlights his mediocre mid-range game, as well. Although, the potential is still there for the power forward who showed elite offensive ability at Providence just a couple of months ago.

He shot 73.4 percent from the free-throw line and his ability to get to the basket off-the-dribble and finish with a thunderous dunk was impressive. He showed great athleticism for a 6-9, 235 pound power forward, although relied on his jump shot too often.

As previously noted Bentil was atrocious from three, but he wasn’t afraid to continue taking them. In a way, he was the big man version of Marcus Smart. Despite bricking a lot of threes and not coming close, his desire was too strong and he continuously attempted deep shots, acting as a catch-and-shoot player.

In Maine, focusing on his interior offensive game and his athleticism that produced much of his points in summer league will help show Boston that he’s ready to have a role in the NBA. With that being said, all hope isn’t lost for his mid-range game, or even his three-point game. His shooting stroke isn’t terrible but not relying as heavily on his outside game will be key for his development.

Although, in the end, Boston was smart to hold on to Bentil and give him a training camp invite. He has the potential to be the team’s next Jared Sullinger if his mid-range game develops. While Sullinger may have been an underwhelming starter with Boston, his production is solid for a backup big man. Now with Toronto, Sullinger will be able to showcase his talent coming off the bench, a better suited role for the big man. Besides, Boston isn’t banking on Bentil becoming their future starting power forward.

However, Bentil’s game lines up very similar to Sullinger’s last season. Both like to hang on the perimeter, besides not being great outside shooters. Sullinger is a decent pick-and-pop option, however his 35.1 percent shooting from 10-to-16 feet away highlights his inconsistencies in that area. Plus, both are solid but not great rebounders or defenders.

Defense has never been Bentil’s strong suit, and it likely won’t end up being his calling card in the NBA. However, he’s much more athletic than Sullinger, who had trouble guarding some wing players, and was a better shot blocker in college than Sullinger was while at Ohio State.

Bentil’s potential as a rebounder gives him a chance to add another facet to his offensive-minded game. His 7.7 rebounds per game at Providence doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, although he’s a big body who has an act for rebounding, and he showed that in summer league.

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His 3.5 rebounds per night doesn’t sound spectacular, but the rate at which he rebounded was. He ended up grabbing an extremely impressive 12.1 boards per 36 minutes. That would have ranked second on the Celtics roster last season, only 0.6 rebounds behind Jared Sullinger. Also, he averaged 4.8 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, which is one rebound higher than team leaders Sullinger and Amir Johnson from a season ago.

When it comes down to it, Bentil had his problems with shot selection, but, on the glass, he was as productive as anyone. To put it in perspective, three of the top-five rebounders in summer league averaged fewer rebounds per 36 minutes than Ben Bentil. It highlights the consistent and quick production he gave off the bench in little spurts, which is important from a bench player, and the potential he holds as a rebounder – an underrated aspect to his game.

In the end, though, training camp will be a valuable experience for his development. A strong training camp and D-League stint as a rookie will set Bentil up to make the Celtics roster next season. Although, even with Jordan Mickey and Al Horford being the only front court players under contract next season, Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic are also expected to come over and it’s no secret Boston would love to add another All-Star caliber big man to their roster.

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Still, Bentil’s all-around potential isn’t something seen in every young big man, especially among the Celtics young front court. While Bentil is still raw, the natural talent and potential to be a solid rotational player in the NBA is there. He may never be the starter alongside Horford, although a strong rookie campaign in Maine will instill a lot of confidence in Boston’s front office heading into next season, when more minutes will be available.