2023-24 (Sophomore): Started in 31 games and played in 32…NCAA National Stat Leader in steals (104) and steals per game (3.35)…All-Conference USA Third Team and CUSA All-Defensive Team…FIU single-season record holder with 104 total steals…FIU single-game record holder with 10 steals vs. FGCU on Nov. 29, 2023…third all-time at FIU in career steals with 185…sixth all-time for assists in a season with 124…averaged team-highs of 13.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 124 assists…career-high 27 points vs. LIU on Dec. 2, 2023…career-high three three-pointers made in a 19-point effort against Miami on Nov. 13, 2023…first career double-double with 13 points and 10 steals vs. FGCU (Nov. 29)…21 points on 9-for-16 shooting in CUSA Tournament win over Jax State on March 12, 2024
2022-23 (Freshman): Started 23 of 32 games played ... Named Conference USA Freshman of the Year and All-Conference Honorable Mention ... Marked second all-time Freshman of the Year selection in program history and first since 2009 (Freddy Asprilla, Sun Belt) ... First C-USA FOY selection in program history ... Named to C-USA All-Defensive Team; first freshman to do so since 2019 ... Named to C-USA All-Freshman Team ... Recorded a program record four C-USA Freshman of the Week honors during season ... Set freshman single-season steals record (81) ... Led the C-USA and finished sixth in the NCAA in total steals and eighth in steals per game (2.5) ... Finished second on the team in points (11.9 ppg) and rebounds (4.1 rpg) ... Led all freshmen in the C-USA in scoring ... Reached doubles-figure scoring and three-plus steals in 14 games ... Opened with 19 points, six rebounds and five steals in FIU debut versus Houston Christian (Nov. 7) ... Recorded 18 points, including 2-of-5 from three, and career-high nine rebounds at Western Kentucky (Jan. 14) ... Notched first career double-double with 10 points and career-high 10 assists at Rice (Mar. 4) ... Tallied career-high 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting versus LA Tech in C-USA Tournament (Mar. 8).
HIGH SCHOOL: Starred at prep powerhouse Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut ...Averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.1 steals en route to being named the Power 5 Conference Player of the Year ... Helped lead Putnam to its first-ever undefeated season (38-0) that included a NEBL title, Power 5 Conference title and National Prep Championship title in 2022 ...
Previously ranked inside the ESPN Top 50 for his position ... Also starred at Calusa Prep, in which he was named Mr. Basketball of Miami by Miami Dade Basketball in 2021 ... Led Calusa to a 19-7 record and SIAA final four appearance with averages of 25 points, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals ... Previously starred at South Miami High School ... Led the Cobras to a GMAC title in 2020 upon averaging 24.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 5.1 steals.
PERSONAL: Born on November 6, 2002 in Miami, Fla. ... Son of Toru Dean and Marites Benjamin ... Brother Toru played at Barry University ... Plans to major in Liberal Studies.
Honors & Awards:
- Conference USA Freshman of the Year (2022-23)
- All-Conference USA Honorable Mention (2022-23)
- Conference USA All-Defensive Team (2022-23)
- Conference USA All-Freshman Team (2022-23)
- C-USA Freshman of the Week (4x)
Career Highs through 2022-23 Season
Points: 21, vs. LA Tech (Mar. 8, 2023)
Rebounds: 9, at Western Kentucky (Jan. 14, 2023)
Assists: 10, at Rice (Mar. 4, 2023)
Steals: 5 (4x), last vs. LA Tech (Mar. 8, 2023)
Blocked Shots: 2, at UTEP (Jan. 19, 2023)
Minutes: 38, vs. FAU (Jan. 11, 2023)
Field Goals Made: 9, vs. LA Tech (Mar. 8, 2023)
Field Goal Attempts: 19, at Middle Tenn. (Feb. 18, 2023)
Three-Point Field Goals Made: 2, at Western Kentucky (Jan. 14, 2023)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted: 6, at LA Tech (Mar. 2, 2023)
Free Throws Made: 5, at LA Tech (Mar. 2, 2023)
Free Throw Attempts: 6, at LA Tech (Mar. 2, 2023)
