Why is Benny Williams Not Playing? Was Benny Williams Suspended?

Benny Williams is not playing, and his recent absence against Gonzaga remains undisclosed, sparking speculation. He was suspended earlier this month for violating team rules, missing games and prompting ongoing questions about his limited playing time.

by S Samayanka | Updated Nov 23, 2023

Fresherslive

Why is Benny Williams Not Playing? 

Benny Williams, a Syracuse basketball forward, did not play in the recent game against Gonzaga, and head coach Adrian Autry declined to comment on the reason for his absence. Williams had previously faced suspension due to an undisclosed violation of team rules, missing the final exhibition and initial regular-season games. Despite returning for the Colgate game, where Autry acknowledged the need for time to rebuild conditioning and rhythm, Williams showcased positive energy and effectiveness against Tennessee. 

His sudden absence against Gonzaga, coupled with Autry's "no comment" response, has sparked curiosity and speculation. The situation remains unclear, leaving fans and observers puzzled about the reasons behind Williams' non-participation, especially following his promising performance in the preceding game against Tennessee.

https://twitter.com/WAERSports/status/1727082016058032136

At Fresherslive, we're dedicated to bridging the gap between news and readers, offering insight into happening events and trending stories simplified for your convenience. Count on us as your reliable source for the latest news and trends.

Was Benny Williams Suspended?

Yes, Benny Williams, the junior forward for Syracuse basketball, was suspended earlier this month for violating team rules. The suspension, lasting ten days, resulted in Williams missing the final exhibition game and the first two games of the regular season.

Despite returning to the lineup and showing promise in a game against Tennessee where he played 16 minutes, scored 8 points, and grabbed 4 rebounds, he did not play in the subsequent match against Gonzaga. The suspension and subsequent mysterious benching have left fans and observers speculating about the circumstances surrounding Williams' limited playing time.

Who is Benny Williams?

Benny Williams, born on April 30, 2002, is an American college basketball player associated with the Syracuse Orange in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). As of now, his notable contributions are within the college basketball realm. He gained attention as a junior forward for Syracuse, showcasing his skills on the court. Williams' involvement with the team has been marked by both positive moments, such as a promising performance against Tennessee, and periods of absence, including a suspension earlier in the season due to a violation of team rules. 

The circumstances surrounding his playing time, especially his recent absence against Gonzaga, have become a point of interest and speculation. Williams' journey in collegiate basketball adds intrigue, and fans are keen to see how his role evolves within the Syracuse Orange.

Name

Benny Williams

Jersey No.

13

Position

Small forward / Power forward

League

Atlantic Coast Conference

Born

April 30, 2002

Age

21 Years

Birthplace

Bowie, Maryland, U.S.

Height

6 ft 8 in

Weight

208 lb

Benny Williams Career

Benny Williams' basketball career is a compelling narrative of resilience and growth. Beginning as a 5 ft 9 in freshman facing rejection from numerous Amateur Athletic Union programs, Williams experienced a remarkable 11-inch growth spurt from 2016 to 2018, transforming him into a formidable 6 ft 8 in player. His early years included playing junior varsity basketball at Riverdale Baptist School in Maryland, followed by a transfer to St. Andrew's Episcopal School, where he repeated his sophomore year. During his junior season, Williams showcased his skills, averaging an impressive 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks per game, earning him First Team All-Met honors.

For his senior season, Williams navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, where he continued to excel with averages of 16.3 points and six rebounds per game. Recognized as a five-star recruit by Rivals and a four-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, Williams committed to Syracuse for college basketball, turning down offers from Maryland, Georgetown, and Miami.

Unfortunately, his collegiate journey faced adversity when he suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in 2022 during an overtime loss to North Carolina, averaging 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Despite this setback, Benny Williams' career trajectory reflects a story of determination, overcoming challenges, and consistently proving his capabilities on the basketball court.

Benny Williams Stats

2023-24 Season:

  • Games Played (GP): 2
  • Average Minutes per Game (MIN): 13.0
  • Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 37.5%
  • Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 40.0%
  • Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 0.0%
  • Average Rebounds (REB): 2.5
  • Average Assists (AST): 1.0
  • Blocks (BLK): 0.0
  • Steals (STL): 0.5
  • Personal Fouls (PF): 1.5
  • Turnovers (TO): 1.0
  • Points per Game (PTS): 4.0

2022-23 Season:

  • Games Played (GP): 30
  • Average Minutes per Game (MIN): 22.3
  • Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 44.7%
  • Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 39.6%
  • Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 65.0%
  • Average Rebounds (REB): 4.1
  • Average Assists (AST): 0.8
  • Blocks (BLK): 0.3
  • Steals (STL): 0.8
  • Personal Fouls (PF): 1.1
  • Turnovers (TO): 1.0
  • Points per Game (PTS): 7.2

2021-22 Season:

  • Games Played (GP): 29
  • Average Minutes per Game (MIN): 10.8
  • Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 33.9%
  • Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 9.1%
  • Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 61.9%
  • Average Rebounds (REB): 1.4
  • Average Assists (AST): 0.2
  • Blocks (BLK): 0.2
  • Steals (STL): 0.4
  • Personal Fouls (PF): 0.8
  • Turnovers (TO): 0.6
  • Points per Game (PTS): 1.9
Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

Why is Benny Williams Not Playing? - FAQs

1. Why did Benny Williams not play against Gonzaga?

The reason for Benny Williams' absence was not disclosed by head coach Adrian Autry, leading to speculation.

2. Was Benny Williams suspended recently?

Yes, Benny Williams faced a recent suspension for violating team rules, lasting ten days.

3. What is Benny Williams' current status with Syracuse basketball?

Benny Williams is a junior forward associated with the Syracuse Orange in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

4. How did Benny Williams perform in his junior season?

In his junior season, Benny Williams averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks per game, earning First Team All-Met honors.

5. What caused Benny Williams to transfer to IMG Academy for his senior season?  

Concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on facility access led Benny Williams to transfer to IMG Academy for his senior season.