ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have selected Oakland University center Keith Benson with the 48th pick in the second round of Thursday's NBA draft.
Benson told Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein, "I'm excited to come to Atlanta and be apart of a playoff team."
Benson was the Hawks' first selection after general manager Rick Sund traded a first-rounder to Washington in February for a package that included veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich. "The Hawks gave me a warm reception at the NBA combine, so I had a feeling I was on their radar," Benson said.
Benson averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in four seasons with Oakland. His mother, Dr. Janice Hale graduated from Spelman College and his grandfather, Rev. Phale D. Hale graduated from Morehouse. Rev Hale was personal friends with Dr. Martin Luther King.
Benson is also the godson of Channel 2 anchor Monica Pearson.
Atlanta is seeking low-post offense to take some of the front-line scoring responsibilities off center Al Horford.
Sund declined to say whether he tried to trade forward Josh Smith in an effort to move high into the first round. Smith, a talented but inconsistent power forward, was the subject of speculation in an allegedly proposed deal to Minnesota for the No. 2 overall pick.
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