Former Skyline Basketball Player Marques Benjamin Named National Player of the Week Marques Benjamin (Skyline ’06) was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Player of the Week for Jan. 21-27.  Benjamin, a 6’ senior point guard from San Francisco, CA, helped Mayville State to two wins over Top 25 opponents last week and the top spot in the Dakota Athletic Conference standings.  In a 103-93 win over #23 Jamestown College, Benjamin scored 23 points and recorded 11 assists.  He also went a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.  One day later in a 84-80 win over #16 Valley City State Univ., he netted 24 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds.  Marques is currently averaging 7.3 assists per game, which is 2nd in the nation.

 

FORMER SKYLINE PLAYERS ACHIEVIING SUCCESS

 

Last year's sophomores, Marques Benjamin, Filip Popovic, and Sam Wilhoite all accepted scholarships last spring to continue their education and basketball careers.  Here's an update on their progress:

Marques has started all 25 games this year for Mayville State University.  As the team’s point guard, he has led the Comets to a record of 17-8, and a #18 ranking in the latest NAIA national poll.  He leads the team in assists, is 3rd on the team in rebounding, and 4th on the team in steals. 

 

Filip Popovic appeared in 19 of 28 games for Seattle Pacific University.  SPU won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the 2nd straight year.  It finished the season with an 18-10 overall record and qualified for the Div. II West regional.  Seattle Pacific was ranked in the top 20 for most of the season.  Not only is SPU a top-ranked basketball program, it’s also a very highly regarded educational institution.  Filip is majoring in Computer Science at SPU.

Former Trojan Sam Wilhoite had an outstanding season for the University of Hawaii-Hilo.  After transferring from Skyline in 2006, Sam was named to the All Pac-West 2nd Team after averaging nearly a double-double in league (12.5ppg & 9.3rpg).  He ranked 2nd in the league in rebounding, 4th in blocks and top 20 in scoring, FG%, FT%, and minutes played.  Sam started all 26 games on the season, recording 7 double-double’s.