TJ, Holly and Casey Benson have been around athletics their whole lives and have taken different paths to get to where they are today.
The family trio, a pair of Corona del Sol graduates and an incoming Aztec freshman, have gone through many of the same experiences together, yet all find themselves going in completely different directions as their futures unfold.
TJ, a 2004 Corona graduate, recently signed on to play professional basketball in Rio de Janeiro with the expansion Tijuca Tenis Clube.
The 24-year-old earned a number of accolades as a senior in the Orange and Gold, taking home 1st Team All-Region, Honorable Mention All-State and All-City Team award, which led him to Mesa Community College to play ball.
After two years there, including a one-year medical redshirt, TJ transferred to Weber State in Ogden, Utah, where he spent another three years trying to master his craft.
Luck once again wasn’t on his side as he broke his foot, causing yet another medical redshirt. He then transferred to Grand Canyon University, reconnecting with former friend and at the time Arizona State assistant Russ Pennell, who landed the head coaching position with the Antelopes.
TJ thrived his last season at GCU, earning 2nd Team All-Pacific West honors. His luck had seemed to turn and an unexpected opportunity came knocking shortly after his basketball career had looked to be coming to an end.
One of his teammates was being recruited for the Brazilian startup squad, and one thing led to another with TJ being offered a contract. He jumped on the opportunity and signed on the dotted line, which will have him in Rio de Janeiro from Aug. 15 through Dec. 15.
“I’m definitely really excited, TJ said.
“I wouldn’t say I’m nervous yet; it will probably kick in within the next couple weeks, but right now I’m just more excited with the fact that I’m going to be a professional basketball player.”
Travel costs, living expenses and a little extra will be given to TJ as he kicks off his career as a professional player.
“I’m getting paid to play basketball,” he says. “It’s been a goal of mine since starting college and is a dream-come-true.” The contract is guaranteed for only one season. However, with a solid performance, TJ may have to improve on his Portuguese and expect an extended stay to build on his basketball career in Brazil when another league starts in January.
TJ isn’t the only professional athlete in the family. After playing soccer at Oregon State University, TJ’s sister Holly played for the semi-pro Women’s Premier League with the AZ Rush and Phoenix Del Sol. She was a part of the 2006 state championship team at Corona.
Holly, academically a senior who has two years of athletic eligibility remaining, now attends Arizona State University.
Little brother Casey will look to continue the Benson legacy at Corona when he enters his freshman year next month. He was part of the undefeated squad at Kyrene Middle School and has been participating with the Corona varsity team during summer play. There is definitely a difference in play coming from middle school to the high school game.
“Everyone’s a lot bigger and stronger,” Casey says. “It’s way more competitive.” He has followed his brother’s experiences and says he will look to duplicate TJ’s success with the ultimate goal of playing Division One basketball after high school.
“Just stay positive,” TJ has told his little brother. “It’s not going to be easy; be humble and always keep working hard.”
The hard work is evident as the trio works out four times a week at Tempe’s Fast Athlete at Warner and Kyrene to stay sharp. The training facility owned and operated by Josh and Lara Clark gives high school and college kids, as well as fitness-conscious adults looking to get in better shape, the opportunity to work out in a more relaxed environment, but still provides top-of-the-line equipment.
The Benson trio has accomplished a lot together athletically and now embarks on the next chapter of their journey heading into the future—and a bright one, at that.
