Las Cruces’ Deuce Benjamin Signs with Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Basketball

Benjamin’s basketball pedigree begins at Las Cruces High School, where he was named the 2021 New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year and helped lead the Bulldawgs to the 2020 New Mexico Class 5A State Championship and runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022.

Source: Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Basketball (via Facebook)
Image: Courtesy

HICKORY, N.C. — Lenoir-Rhyne University head men’s basketball coach Brent Owen announced today the signing of guard William “Deuce” Benjamin, a 2025-2026 1st Team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference selection and former New Mexico High School Gatorade Player of the Year.

Benjamin, a 6-foot combo guard from Las Cruces, New Mexico, arrives in Hickory with an impressive résumé. Benjamin’s basketball pedigree begins at Las Cruces High School, where he was named the 2021 New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year and helped lead the Bulldawgs to the 2020 New Mexico Class 5A State Championship and runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022. After redshirting at New Mexico State University in 2022-23, he transferred to New Mexico Junior College. Playing in one of the best junior college conferences in the country, he averaged 10.3 ppg over two seasons.

Subscribe to the Daily Las Cruces Digest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *How would you like to be addressed in personalized emails?

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Benjamin elevated his game significantly in his lone season at Minot State (2025-26), emerging as one of the top players in the NSIC. He led the Beavers in scoring (18.1 PPG), three-pointers made (58), and steals (41) while starting all 29 games and ranking second on the team in assists (57). His career-high came in a 30-point performance against South Dakota Mines, and he delivered multiple buzzer-beaters throughout the season — including a game-winning shot to defeat Minnesota Duluth 85-83. The recognition followed: Benjamin was named to the 1st Team All-NSIC and earned NSIC North Division Player of the Week honors twice.

“We’ve known Deuce since our days as a staff in New Mexico. He is a really good young man who brings a winning pedigree and a competitive fire that fits exactly what we need to win championships,” Coach Owen said. “His ability to score, make plays for others, and apply pressure defensively will allow him to make a big impact right away.”