Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
T.J. Benson
Benson to play professionally in Brazil
8/22/2010 7:33:32 PM | Men's Basketball
Led GCU in scoring in 2009-10
T.J. Benson (Tempe, AZ, Corona del Sol) ended his collegiate basketball career in March.
His pro career begins next month.
Grand Canyon University's leading scorer for the 2009-10 season has signed a professional contract to play for Tijuca Tenis Clube in Brazil.
The team will play in the Rio de Janeiro State League and in the Brazilian Second Division for the 2010-11 season.
"Since the (GCU) season got over with, it's been a goal of mine," said Benson. "After playing last year and having a good year, as long as I can play it's something I want to do."
In his lone season at GCU, Benson, a 6-0 point guard who transferred from Division I Weber State, led the Antelopes in scoring with a 10.0 scoring average. He also led the club in assists (3.0) and 3-point shooting (68-173, .393 percent). He was selected to the Pacific West Conference second team.
He was a high school standout at Tempe Corona del Sol before playing at the junior college level at Mesa Community College.
His new club is stationed out of Rio de Janeiro.
"The city or country didn't matter, I was going to take the first offer I received," said Benson, who will be the only American on his team.
Benson has been to Brazil before. As a 14-year old, he played there for a traveling soccer team.
"I know there is going to be a little bit of an adjustment, obviously," added Benson, who will leave in early September to begin his pro career.
His pro career begins next month.
Grand Canyon University's leading scorer for the 2009-10 season has signed a professional contract to play for Tijuca Tenis Clube in Brazil.
The team will play in the Rio de Janeiro State League and in the Brazilian Second Division for the 2010-11 season.
"Since the (GCU) season got over with, it's been a goal of mine," said Benson. "After playing last year and having a good year, as long as I can play it's something I want to do."
In his lone season at GCU, Benson, a 6-0 point guard who transferred from Division I Weber State, led the Antelopes in scoring with a 10.0 scoring average. He also led the club in assists (3.0) and 3-point shooting (68-173, .393 percent). He was selected to the Pacific West Conference second team.
He was a high school standout at Tempe Corona del Sol before playing at the junior college level at Mesa Community College.
His new club is stationed out of Rio de Janeiro.
"The city or country didn't matter, I was going to take the first offer I received," said Benson, who will be the only American on his team.
Benson has been to Brazil before. As a 14-year old, he played there for a traveling soccer team.
"I know there is going to be a little bit of an adjustment, obviously," added Benson, who will leave in early September to begin his pro career.
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