Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk taking pride in 'bruiser' mentality for South Carolina basketball
When Lamont Paris lands a commitment from someone, he commits to South Carolina thinking he’ll be the leading scorer.
But, like Paris said, the Gamecocks can only have one leading scorer. The other 14 guys on the roster have to find other ways to help impact the game, and he’s seen that from big man Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk.
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“Everyone, before they come here, thinks it’s by scoring a bunch of points. Everyone. Trust me. Fifteen guys think that,” Paris said. “But that’s only going to be the role for one guy, to be the leading scorer. He’s really starting to hone in on how he can impact the game in a positive way. That role, why it may not be glamorous to someone else, is no less important.”
And he’s seen the growth there from Bosmans-Verdonk, who has come along well during the preseason as a defender and facilitator.
He might not impact the game offensively like some of South Carolina’s more go-to scorers, and he also takes pride in being one of the enforcers on this year’s team.
“You have to have someone that is willing to do whatever it is. I’m looking to be that guy. In my time at Illinois, I was very much the guy that did the dirty work, the bruiser,” he said. “I took pride in that role. I think that’s something that translates everywhere you go. I’m looking to bring that with me.”
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Bosmans-Verdonk showed glimpses of that in South Carolina’s 39-point exhibition win.
He only had five points, but he did it on an efficient 2-for-2 shooting.
Where he excelled was on the glass, bringing in a team-high 12 rebounds (four offensive boards).
He had two assists to one turnover with a pair of steals. The 6-foot-9 bruiser finished plus-15 in 20 minutes Wednesday night.
His 144.4 offensive rating was the best among players with at least 10 minutes played. And he only allowed 2.1 points on the defensive end with the best defensive rating on the team.
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The Gamecocks are hoping to use him as a fluid big who can move and play in space while also being a factor on the glass when needed.
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“Ben’s activity is very unique at that position. He moves very well for a big. I think he can keep the ball in the post, he can hard shell a ball screen, he can get back into a play. You can switch him in multiple spots,” assistant Tanner Bronson said.
“He can handle it better than those guys so he can put the ball on the floor and make passes to find guys. Hopefully offensively he can keep the defense moving side to side. He’s a little bit smaller but should still have an impact and is strong enough to hold his own.”
Bosmans-Verdonk is one of the older guys on a relatively young or inexperienced roster.
Despite inconsistent minutes at Illinois, he did play some in his time there and hopes to be one of the go-to leaders and Swiss Army Knives on the team.
“I think it’s my job to in some way, shape or form provide this team with some leadership and do what it takes to win,” Bosmans-Verdonk. “That means doing a bunch of things. If that’s making the right play, making the right pass, rebounding, diving on the floor, making that shot, whatever it is.”
