TJ Benson - Men's Basketball
TJ Benson
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- coaches@arizona.edu
- Phone:
- 621-2430
Benson, a native of Tempe, Ariz., is in his sixth season at Arizona and has been an assistant coach for the last three years. Prior to that, he was the Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for his first three years in Tucson.
In his time at Arizona, he has helped recruit four players that have gone on to be NBA Draft picks and put together one of the top recruiting classes in Arizona history with Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Ivan Kharchenkov. He has helped head coach Tommy Lloyd win six conference titles - three regular season and three conference tournaments - and propelled the Wildcats to the Final Four in 2026.
He came to Tucson after serving as the Coordinator of Basketball Administration at Gonzaga for the 2020-21 season. At Gonzaga, Benson was responsible for non-conference game scheduling and streamlining the day-to-day operations of the program. He assisted with scouting, recruiting activities and the development of All-Americans, Joel Ayayi, Jalen Suggs and Drew Timme.
Prior to that, he spent seven seasons with the men's basketball program at Grand Canyon University, serving as an assistant coach and director of operations. As an assistant with the Lopes, Benson helped recruit the two highest rated recruits in program history – Tim Finke and Jovan Blacksher Jr. As GCU transitioned to Division I, they won 81 games in their first four years, the most ever by a D1 transition team. Benson played a large part in the development of 13 All-Conference players, many of whom played or are currently playing professionally. Prior to his time at GCU, Benson was the assistant director of basketball operations at Boise State in 2011-12.
As a student-athlete, Benson played at Weber State and Grand Canyon. At Weber State, he played in the 2007 NCAA Tournament and 2009 NIT before moving on to GCU and being named Second Team Pacific West Conference in 2009-10. Benson also played professionally in Brazil during the 2010-11 season, guiding Tijuca Tenis Clube to the Brazil Super Cup championship.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Weber State in 2009 and a master's degree from GCU in Marketing. He attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona.
In his time at Arizona, he has helped recruit four players that have gone on to be NBA Draft picks and put together one of the top recruiting classes in Arizona history with Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Ivan Kharchenkov. He has helped head coach Tommy Lloyd win six conference titles - three regular season and three conference tournaments - and propelled the Wildcats to the Final Four in 2026.
He came to Tucson after serving as the Coordinator of Basketball Administration at Gonzaga for the 2020-21 season. At Gonzaga, Benson was responsible for non-conference game scheduling and streamlining the day-to-day operations of the program. He assisted with scouting, recruiting activities and the development of All-Americans, Joel Ayayi, Jalen Suggs and Drew Timme.
Prior to that, he spent seven seasons with the men's basketball program at Grand Canyon University, serving as an assistant coach and director of operations. As an assistant with the Lopes, Benson helped recruit the two highest rated recruits in program history – Tim Finke and Jovan Blacksher Jr. As GCU transitioned to Division I, they won 81 games in their first four years, the most ever by a D1 transition team. Benson played a large part in the development of 13 All-Conference players, many of whom played or are currently playing professionally. Prior to his time at GCU, Benson was the assistant director of basketball operations at Boise State in 2011-12.
As a student-athlete, Benson played at Weber State and Grand Canyon. At Weber State, he played in the 2007 NCAA Tournament and 2009 NIT before moving on to GCU and being named Second Team Pacific West Conference in 2009-10. Benson also played professionally in Brazil during the 2010-11 season, guiding Tijuca Tenis Clube to the Brazil Super Cup championship.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Weber State in 2009 and a master's degree from GCU in Marketing. He attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona.
Friday, October 23
Friday, October 23
Tuesday, October 20
Saturday, October 17
