New Move: Ben Bentil lands a deal with French side Chalons Reims

First Ghanaian born NBA Draft Pick makes move to France.

First Ghanaian born player to be drafted in to the NBA, Bentil has found himself at French side Chalons-Reims.

The small forward was drafted to the Bolton Celtic from Providence College in 2016 and has had problem getting minutes in the various sides he has found himself playing for.

A year in the NBA has seen Bentil go on a basketball expedition which has included stints with Chinese side Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers and NBA lower tier side Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

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It was in the 2017 NBA Summer League was where Bentil was included in the San Antonio Spurs Roster.

After playing a few games in the Summer League Chalons Reims contacted the Spurs Cam and the move was made.

Ghana ace basketball journalist for basketballghana.com Yaw Adjei-Mintah had some words to say about Ben Bentil’s move.

He did describe the move as a good one due to playing time

“I think it’s a good move for Bentil because moving to France affords him as a chance. That is all Bentil needs to push him a step further in his professional career .

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We should note that he is still young and he getting is what has been lacking in his professional career. The French League is quite strong in the European League Format. This means getting games out there will be quite good for him.”

He also spoke on how playing in France can develop Ben Bentil as a basketball player

“The French League is fundamentally sound and one of the issues critics have with him is that Bentil does not have a natural feel for the game.”

As a small forward he does not rebound a lot and that is an attribute having a natural feel for the game can get you ” “France can serve as ground to learn and get that natural feel .”

He did go on to explain circumstances that has not seen Bentil play much in the NBA and how this very move is different from all his previous moves since he went professional in 2016.

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“He has not had too many chances to show what he is got. Celtics drafted him in 2016 and at the time the team had a lot of young players on its roster . Due to that he did not have chance to show what he has until he was shown the exit door to China to replace an injured player. Once he was in that spot he was looking for a way out because he was there as a replacement and nothing else .

With this move he is in very comfortable environment. This French side are aware of his NBA experience and will give him the chance to show what he has. They will give him the ball to show his offensive prowess and the chance to learn. This is a good move and he will capitalize on it.”

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