JOSE AT A GLANCE: An elite defender with the ability to pressure the basketball and to stay in front of the ball ... Totaled 224 points, 97 rebounds and 108 assists in 52 career games at two stops prior to Barry.
JUNIOR (2024-25 - Southern Miss): Played in 18 games off the bench for coach Jay Ladner as the Eagles went 11-22 ... Averaged 1.6 points and 13 assists and 11 steals ... Scored a season-high six points against Ole Miss on Dec. 14 ... Had three assists on Dec. 10 at Tulane, while also grabbing three rebounds ... Named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll in the fall.
SOPHOMORE (2023-24 - Southern Miss): Made 15 appearances in a reserve role off the bench ... Enjoyed an eight-point performance in Southern Miss’ win over Xavier (La.) while going 4-4 from from the floor ... Grabbed three rebounds in three different games and had three offensive rebounds at Louisiana ... Logged a career-high 19 minutes against Xavier (La.) ... Dished out three assists at ULM and started the season with at least one assist in five of the first six games.
2022-23: Did not play collegiate basketball
FRESHMAN (2021-22 - Francis Marion): Made 18 starts in 19 appearances ... Averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game ... Scored at least 10 points in nine contests, including a season-high 20 against Belmont Abbey ... Posted a season-best seven rebounds in a January contest against Erskine ... Dished out nine assists twice ... Had at least five assists in nine games ... FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll in the spring ... Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Miami Prep under coach Juan Cardona ... Helped Miami Prep to a 49-4 record in 2020-21 and an appearance in the FSBC State Championship ... All-Conference selection ... Averaged 15.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.2 steals per contest as a senior ... Prior to attending Miami Prep, went to Schoolhouse Preparatory, where he played for coach Collin Campbell ... During the 2019-20 season, averaged 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game for a 20-9 team that advanced to the state tournament semifinals ... Recipient of a 2020 Outstanding Academic Excellence award from the President’s Education Award Program
PERSONAL: Son of Ramon Benitez and Lucia Canelo ... Has a brother, Jose Ramon, and sister, Paola ... Majoring in liberal studies.
