Casey Benson is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior PG who attends Corona Del Sol High School. In my opinion, Casey is the best PG in the state - regardless of class. The lefty has a very high skill level, where he can shoot it from deep consistently and also put it on the floor and blow by his man. He has an uncanny ability to keep his dribble alive in pressure situations. He always is looking up to find the open man on the floor, or surveying the scene to score a basket. He facilitates when he needs to or when it is available to him, and with his left or right hand. He is the pure team player where wins, not stats, mean something to him.Here is a conversation he had recently with Arizona Preps (AP) ...
AP: Tell me about your family.
Casey: I’m real close with all my family members. I have a brother and a sister who are both older. I have a real great support system from them. Love all of them to death. My brother TJ, is an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University. This is his first year coaching, but he is always real supportive of me. He also is always helping me out with different situations.
AP: Tell me why did you start playing basketball?
Casey: I picked up a ball before I ever wrote my name. So I picked it up and I couldn’t put it back down.
AP: When was your 1st dunk?
Casey: End of freshman year was my first dunk. But I have never dunked in a game. I have never even attempted a dunk in a game.
AP: First time you knew you were good?
Casey: I felt once I got to high school, that is when I realized I am becoming a good player. I have always had high expectations for myself and I am always pushing myself to get better and better. But I would say once I got to high school.
AP: What would be a weakness you want to improve before you play college?
Casey: Working on getting stronger and quicker. For sure defensively; ball pressure, as well as keeping guys in front of me to make it difficult to get into their offense. That’s what I am always working on.
AP: Tell me about your recruiting process? Has it been stressful, fun, do you like the attention or is it something you have to go through?
Casey: It’s something I just really want to enjoy. When you put too much pressure on it, and you think about it too much, it weighs you down. So mainly, I just want to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on the process.
AP: What colleges have given you official offers?
Casey: ASU, Saint Mary’s, Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado, Boston College, USC and San Francisco.
AP: What are the colleges that have high interest in you?
Casey: Stanford, Washington State and Oklahoma.
AP: What is the most interest level of any college?
Casey: I think it’s fairly even at this point. No school dominating any other.
AP: What do you think it will take to choose a college? Does the location, coaching staff, playing time, academics, or comfort level have something to do with picking a college?
Casey: The main thing is I want the right fit. Style of play, relationship with the coaches, and also when you take your visits, how well do you connect with the players. I also want to go to a place where I have a chance to play. Having the opportunity to play is very important.
AP: Do you have a pre-game meal?
Casey: Usually just a small sandwich. Not too much food.
AP: Do you have a favorite food?
Casey: Mexican food is my favorite type of food.
AP: Do you have a favorite video game?
Casey: Not really. I’m not really a video game guy.
AP: If you are not playing basketball, what are you doing?
Casey: I have a bible study group that I am a part of. I have built real good relationships with people in that group. And I also just hang out with friends.
AP: What is your ultimate goal for the team?
Casey: A state championship is our ultimate goal. We have to do everything possible to get there. Last year was so much fun and we want it to be the same.
AP: What is your personal goal?
Casey: Just help my team win as many games as possible.
AP: What do you think will actually take to win it all?
Casey: Every time we step on the court, we have to be the hardest playing team. Fight for every loose ball, make the extra effort and make all the scrappy plays we can to win the game.
AP: Knowing what you know now, what would you change, if anything at all, if you could start HS basketball over again?
Casey: Nothing really and I’m very blessed the way things have gone and the process that has been. It’s been a real fun time for me.
AP: Any last things you want to add to Arizona Preps?
Casey: Thank you guys for interviewing me.
