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Indiana Pacers Host Caleb Swanigan, Bentil, Felder, Moore, Sulaimon for Workouts

By Ryan Eggers

Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) and Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) wait for a rebound in the second half at Mackey Arena. Purdue won the game 87-70. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) and Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) wait for a rebound in the second half at Mackey Arena. Purdue won the game 87-70. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) shoots the ball between USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) and guard Elijah Stewart (30) during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars won 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) shoots the ball between USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) and guard Elijah Stewart (30) during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars won 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Bentil, Providence — Forward

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6’8″

Weight: 229

Wingspan: 7’1.5″

Last Season Stats: 21.1 PPG, 1.1 APG, 7.7 RPG, 46.2 FG%, 32.9 3P%

Draft Stock: Late First Round to Early Second Round

Bentil also made the decision to fully enter the 2016 NBA Draft like Barber just yesterday. He and fellow draftee Kris Dunn led the Providence Friars to a strong 2015-16 season in a surprisingly tough Big East. While Dunn, who is likely to go in the top 10, is getting most of the attention from Rhode Island, Bentil is a talent that can’t be missed.

He made possibly an even more significant jump than Barber from his freshman to sophomore season, scoring 21.1 PPG (6.4 PPG as a freshman) and grabbing 7.7 RPG (4.9 RPG as a freshman) on the way to a second-round NCAA tournament exit against the eventual runner-up North Carolina. His FT% also improved from 69.5% to 78.2% and his PER went up to 24.7 from 13.5 over the two seasons.

His skill comes in his ability to guard the paint and perimeter, along with being able to create a shot from most anywhere on the court. Here are a few plays that show his versatility:

The only problem is that Bentil might have a bit of an identity crisis. Is he an ideal stretch-four? Some factors say yes, and others not so much. His size, in-and-out game and quickness make a strong case for NBA success. However, his three-point clip isn’t extremely attractive (32.9%) and he really struggles to pass the ball, which doesn’t bode well in a modern flowing offense. There also might be some questions as to how well he can guard different types of forwards.

Still, though, he’s a guy that can bring a lot of strengths to a team. He was one of only 9 players in the NCAA last year to make 50 three-pointers, block 30 shots, and grab 30 steals (per CBS Sports). For a team looking for someone that can bring some diversity with Myles Turner in the frontcourt, Bentil could be the guy. The Pacers would have to develop his shooting a bit further and help upgrade his strengths to the NBA game, but Bentil could end up being a smart pick for the Pacers at 20.

His draft stock has him a little past that mark, with experts estimating he’ll range anywhere from late in the first round to even as far as the middle of the second. After he works out with a few teams his stock will become more clear. Again, Bentil could be a reach with our first round pick, but it’s hard to say considering he only just confirmed his entrance into the draft. With time, we’ll see where he ends up on draft boards and on June 23rd we’ll see if he ends up on the Pacers. He fits what might possibly be the team’s biggest need, but he’ll undoubtedly be a project.

Next: Kay Felder, Oakland

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