Wikipedia

Ben Beran

Benjamin Beran (born October 1, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits before playing professionally in Germany and Australia. He was named Most Valuable Player of the State Basketball League (SBL) in 2013 and helped the Lakeside Lightning win the SBL championship the same year.

Ben Beran
Beran with the Lakeside Lightning in 2013
Personal information
Born (1984-10-01) October 1, 1984 (age 40)
Victor, Iowa, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolHartwick-Ladora-Victor
(Victor, Iowa)
CollegeSouth Dakota State (2003–2008)
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2008–2015
PositionForward
Career history
2008–2009USC Heidelberg
2010–2013Lakeside Lightning
2013–2015VfL Kirchheim Knights
Career highlights and awards

Early life

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Beran was born in Victor, Iowa,[1] where he attended Hartwick-Ladora-Victor High School. He averaged 18.5 points and 15.3 rebounds as a senior and finished his high school career with 1,359 points and 1,082 rebounds alongside three first-team all-conference selections. He led the Warriors to their first state tournament appearance in 30 years and earned two consecutive Iowa Newspaper Association All-State honors. He also played football, track and baseball.[2]

College career

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As a freshman at South Dakota State in 2003–04, Beran played in all 34 games and made one start while averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 15.1 minutes per game. He scored season-high 18 points against Augustana. He was subsequently named North Central Conference Freshman of the Year.[2]

For the 2004–05 season, the Jackrabbits entered the NCAA Division 1 for the first time.[3] As a sophomore, Beran was South Dakota State's leading scorer with 13.6 points per game.[4] He started all 28 games and also averaged 5.9 rebounds per game.[2] In January 2005, he had back-to-back double-doubles with 25 points and 10 rebounds against UMKC and 27 points and 13 rebounds against Morningside.[2]

As a junior in 2005–06, Beran started 28 of the team's 29 games and averaged 12.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.[2] He led the team in scoring seven times, including a season-high 25 points against Kentucky in the season opener.[2][4][5]

After sitting out the 2006–07 season,[6] Beran returned to the Jackrabbits for his senior season in 2007–08.[5] He became the 38th player in SDSU men's basketball history to reach 1,000 career points.[5] He played in all 29 games and started all but one, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 26.3 minutes per game.[2] He had 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting in 37 minutes in an overtime loss to Cal State-Bakersfield on December 28, 2007.[7]

Beran finished his career as the 11th all-time leading scorer at South Dakota State with 1,285 career points.[2] His total ranked 15th all time in 2013[8] and 16th all time in 2015.[9]

After graduating from South Dakota State, Beran toured with Athletes in Action in Europe in May and June 2008.[10]

Professional career

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USC Heidelberg (2008–2009)

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In July 2008, Beran signed a contract to play professionally in Germany with USC Heidelberg of the ProA.[11] While sidelined with a knee injury in February 2009,[12][13][14] he served as acting head coach for one game.[15] In 26 games during the 2008–09 season, he averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[16][17]

USC Heidelberg offered Beran a new contract for the 2009–10 season, but he declined it for personal reasons.[18]

Lakeside Lightning (2010–2013)

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After touring with Athletes in Action in Western Australia in December 2009,[19][20] Beran joined the Lakeside Lightning of the State Basketball League (SBL) for the 2010 season. He scored over 40 points four times, including a 50-point game on July 2 against the Rockingham Flames.[21][22] He was twice named player of the week[23][24] and earned player of the month for May.[25] He helped the Lightning reach the SBL Grand Final after averaging 35 points in the semi-final series against the Perth Redbacks.[26][27] The Lightning lost to the Willetton Tigers in the grand final,[28] with Beran scoring 19 points.[21] In 31 games, he averaged 26.65 points, 7.32 rebounds and 1.97 assists per game.[21]

Beran returned to the Lightning in 2011 and opened the season with 29 points and 21 rebounds against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.[29] He won the round two player of the week award after recording two 30-point games.[30] He was sidelined early in the season with a back injury.[31][32] He scored 30 points or more five times,[29] including a 52-point game on July 29 in the quarter-finals against the East Perth Eagles.[33][34][35] In 23 games, he averaged 23.78 points, 8.52 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.[29]

With the Lightning in 2012, Beran was limited to 17 regular-season games, playing just one game in May and one game in July.[36] He scored over 30 points twice and averaged 20.86 points, 7.45 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22 games.[36]

Beran returned to the Lightning for the 2013 season and won the round seven player of the week award.[37] He scored 30 points or more 10 times and had two games with 20 rebounds.[38] He helped the Lightning reach the grand final,[39] where they defeated the Wanneroo Wolves to win the SBL championship. Beran was hampered by a corked thigh in the third quarter but still contributed 16 points and eight rebounds while shooting 5-of-19 from the field.[40] For the season, he was named the SBL Most Valuable Player[9][41] and earned SBL All-Star Five honors.[42] In 31 games, he averaged 25.06 points, 9.26 rebounds and 2.65 assists per game.[38]

VfL Kirchheim Knights (2013–2015)

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In September 2013, Beran signed with VfL Kirchheim Knights of the German ProA for the 2013–14 season.[43][44] While the team missed the playoffs, Beran was the top performer for the Knights, averaging 14.4 points and almost six rebounds in over 30 minutes per game. He was top 20 in the ProA efficiency rating.[45]

In June 2014, Beran re-signed with Kirchheim for the 2014–15 season.[46] He maintained similar averages in his second season as a Knight, with 15 points and six rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game. He played all 60 games over the two seasons.[45]

In July 2015, Beran announced his retirement from basketball.[1][9][45]

Personal life

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Beran is the son of Bill and Ruth Beran, and has one brother and two sisters. His brother, Matt, played basketball at Truman State University.[3]

Beran and his wife Jessica had their first child in 2014.[44][45]

After retiring from basketball, Beran returned to the United States to work in the artificial fertilizer industry.[45]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ritter im Ruhestand: Ben Beran beendet Basketball-Karriere". VfL Kirchheim Knights. July 23, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Ben Beran". South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Jackrabbit Basketball 2005: Embarking on a New Adventure into NCAA Division I". South Dakota State University. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Rondo scores 17, pulls down career-high 12 rebounds". ESPN.com. November 14, 2005. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Jackrabbit men open 2007-08 at home". South Dakota State Jackrabbits. November 9, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "'07-08 Jackrabbit Basketball : South Dakota State 2007-08 Media Guide". South Dakota State University. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "CS Bakersfield 73, S. Dakota St. 71". ESPN.com. December 29, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  8. ^ Papendick, John (January 15, 2013). "Column: SDSU player eyes 2,000 career points". Aberdeen News. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Beran Retires from Pro Basketball". South Dakota State Jackrabbits. July 23, 2015. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "Beran to play basketball in Europe". South Dakota State Jackrabbits. May 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ben Beran signs to play pro basketball in Germany". South Dakota State Jackrabbits. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Ebert, Claus (February 16, 2009). "Heidelberg –USC Youngster Aug in Aug mit Tabellen 2-ten". MRN-News.de (in German). Archived from the original on May 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Heidelberg – Hat der USC in Chemnitz Chancen?". MRN-News.de (in German). February 18, 2009. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Ebert, Claus (February 23, 2009). "Heidelberg – USC-Team in Chemnitz ohne Chance". MRN-News.de (in German). Archived from the original on May 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Ebert, Claus (February 8, 2009). "Heidelberg – Trotz Niederlage Moral stimmt beim USC". MRN-News.de (in German). Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "SAISON 2008/2009". USC Heidelberg. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "Benjamin Beran". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  18. ^ Ebert, Claus (July 6, 2009). "Heidelberg –USC sucht Power-Forward und Point-Guard". MRN-News.de (in German). Archived from the original on May 26, 2024.
  19. ^ "AIA Player Profiles". WA State Basketball League. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "AIA Defeat Lightning". WA State Basketball League. December 4, 2009. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Player statistics for Benjamin Beran – 2010". WA State Basketball League. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  22. ^ "Tovey, Johnson star for ladder leaders". The West Australian. July 5, 2010. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "Lightning sweep Player of Week Awards". WA State Basketball League. May 19, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  24. ^ "Beran & Hayward take out Player of the Week". WA State Basketball League. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "May SBL Player & Coach Awards". WA State Basketball League. June 10, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  26. ^ "Beran leads Lightning into Grand Final (Friday Wrap)". WA State Basketball League. August 14, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Kagi, Jacob (August 20, 2010). "Southlands Willetton Tigers, Lakeside Lightning set to battle for SBL title". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  28. ^ "Willetton Tigers claim first men's title". The West Australian. August 22, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c "Player statistics for Benjamin Beran – 2011". WA State Basketball League. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "Beran, Payne claim PowerPlayer of the Week". WA State Basketball League. March 31, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  31. ^ "Beran out for two months with back injury". WA State Basketball League. April 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Kagi, Jacob (March 6, 2012). "Season Preview - Lakeside Lightning". WA State Basketball League. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Ben Beran suffered a long-term injury early in the season and couldn't consistently get back to his devastating best, but he still averaged 23.7 points per game.
  33. ^ Kagi, Jacob (July 30, 2011). "Beran pours in 52 to see Lightning home". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  34. ^ "Stewart hails phenomenal Beran". WA State Basketball League. July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  35. ^ Kagi, Jacob (August 1, 2011). "Lakeside's dominance continues into SBL finals". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Player statistics for Benjamin Beran – 2012". WA State Basketball League. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  37. ^ "Week Seven Players of the Week Awards". WA State Basketball League. May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Player statistics for Benjamin Beran – 2013". WA State Basketball League. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  39. ^ "Beran wants first title, Stewart one on departure". WA State Basketball League. August 31, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  40. ^ "Lakeside squeeze past Wolves for men's SBL crown". The West Australian. September 1, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  41. ^ "Beran wins SBL MVP, Prue named in 25 Year All-Star Team". Lakeside.asn.au. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  42. ^ "2013 MSBL All Star Five". WA State Basketball League. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  43. ^ "Benjamin Beran dritter US-Boy im Knights-Team". Der Teckbote (in German). September 14, 2013. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024.
  44. ^ a b "Beran in Kirchheim gelandet". Der Teckbote (in German). September 25, 2013. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e "Ritter im Ruhestand". Der Teckbote (in German). July 24, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024.
  46. ^ "Ben Beran verlängert bei den Knights". Der Teckbote (in German). June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
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