2025-2026 Season Stats:
38 games (2 starts)
14.7 minutes
4.4 points
47.9% FG%
40.9 3pt% (36/88)
2.6 rebounds
.8 assists
.4 steals
.1 blocks
.4 turnovers (17 total turnovers in 557 minutes played)
* Set all career highs in first season
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2025-2026 Season Awards / Honors:
No awards or honors for the 2025-2026 season
Season Retrospective:
Jack Benter’s freshman campaign was a show in efficiency and positional sacrifice, as the 6’6″, 215-pound freshman quickly established himself as a vital cog in the Boilermaker rotation. Despite entering the program as a highly-touted “big guard,” Benter spent a significant portion of the 2026 season playing out of position at the power forward spot. This tactical move by the coaching staff showcased Benter’s unique versatility, allowing Purdue to exploit mismatches across the floor. His ability to navigate positions one through four made him a Swiss Army knife for the roster, providing the size needed to battle in the paint while maintaining the perimeter skills of a backcourt playmaker.
That ability and trust from the coaching staff was shown to start the season as Benter started the first two games of the season with Trey Kaufman-Renn sidelined due to an injury. That opportunity allowed Benter to flash what Matt Painter had raved about as he played 22 and 29 minutes and scored 11 points in each game. With TKR’s return, Benter’s minutes did drop but he continued to flash the potential many see as inherently important for Purdue to continue their level of success they have enjoyed over the last decade.
Offensively, Benter was a steady shooter from beyond the arc. He finished the season shooting 40.9% from three-point range, knocking down 36 of his 88 attempts. What makes this feat more impressive is that he maintained this rhythm while playing a condensed 14.7 minutes per game. His KenPom profile highlights a staggering 128.2 Offensive Rating, a testament to his decision-making and shot selection. Benter didn’t just pad his stats against inferior opponents as he continued to perform well against the better teams on the schedule, where he maintained a 126.3 ORtg and a 40% clip from deep against Tier A opponents, proving he was ready for the brightest lights of the Big Ten.
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The definitive highlight of Benter’s season came on December 29th against Kent State in what will likely be rememberd as Benter’s official “coming out party.“ In a perfect display of shooting, Benter went a perfect 6-of-6 from behind the arc to finish with a season-high 20 points. This came part of a series of games where Benter would hit 10 straight threes and eventually 13-20 over a span of 6 games where he attempted a three. That stretch served the proof of concept for his role as a floor spacer who forces defenses to stay attached to him at all times.
Beyond his scoring, Benter’s poise as a ball-handler was a stabilizing force for the Boilermakers. He demonstrated a high-level ability to handle the ball without the liability of turnovers, posting a solid 8.7 assist rate against a manageable turnover rate. His physical gravity as a 6’6″ threat allowed him to frequently get into the lane, drawing defenders away from the perimeter. Once the defense collapsed, Benter showed great vision, consistently finding open teammates on the arc for high-quality looks. This “drive and kick” ability, combined with his safe hands, solidified his reputation as a high-IQ player who rarely made mistakes. That’ll be a foundational piece for a player who will be competing for playing time in a backcourt that has a multitude of options.
Defensively, the season was a period of adjustment and growth. While his size allowed him to hold his own at the power forward position, Benter did struggle at times with lateral quickness when switched onto smaller, more explosive guards. However, these defensive lapses were often mitigated by his overall athleticism and length. Because he possesses a strong frame and a high motor, Benter should be able to improve his lateral movement to His defensive ceiling remains high, especially as he transitions back to his natural guard positions.
The 2026 season ultimately saw Benter likely earn the title of Purdue’s “ultimate glue guy.” Whether he was crashing the boards (6.7% ORB rate), setting screens as a small-ball four, or acting as a playmaker in big moments, his impact was felt in every facet of the game. His presence allowed the coaching staff to experiment with different lineup combinations, knowing that Benter’s high basketball IQ would keep the offense fluid. He was the type of player who didn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, yet he was always ready to deliver when his number was called.
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Benter’s future looks exceptionally bright in West Lafayette and his impact likely only continues to grow into the 2026/2027 season. Transitioning from a freshman role-player to a potential cornerstone, Benter has already proven he possesses the elite shooting and versatility required to thrive in the Big Ten. If he can continue to refine his defensive agility to match his offensive efficiency, he is poised to become one of the more difficult matchups in the B1G.
Best Season Memory
Benter’s performance against Kent State where he went 6-6 from behind the arc for a career high 20 points is hard to beat. Kent State ended up being one of the better MAC teams and it was really Benter’s coming out party to show the kind of player he is capable of becoming. Benter, more so than anyone on the roster, will benefit from the increased availability of minutes with the absence of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn. However, I’m going to go with a moment much later in the season and one that likely helped vault Purdue to their B1G Tourney Championship.
As time was winding down in the first half against a very good but depleted UCLA team, Purdue led 31-27 with less than 10 seconds left. As the clock wound down under 5 seconds, Omar Mayer flung the ball cross court to Braden Smith who whipped the ball over to Benter. With just 1.6 seconds left, Benter caught the ball 7 feet behind the arc, elevated, and sunk a big three to push the Boilermaker lead to 7. That stole a lot of momentum headed into halftime and helped elevate Purdue to their B1G Tourney championship.
