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    Meet The Lumberjack Basketball Newcomers
    One-on-one with junior center Benson Akpan
    Junior Benson Akpan
    Junior Benson Akpan

    Oct. 26, 2007

    NACOGDOCHES, Texas - When the Stephen F. Austin men's basketball team takes the floor this season, Lumberjack fans might notice a few new faces in uniform -- nine, to be exact. The nine newcomers for 2007-08 tie two previous years for the most SFA rookies to start a season under eighth-year head coach Danny Kaspar. The class includes five prep recruits and four collegiate transfers. Following is the second in a series of question-and-answer sessions that will help SFA fans get to know the newest Lumberjacks. Today's featured 'Jack is junior transfer Benson Akpan.

    Akpan is a 6-9, 240-pound center who calls Austin, Texas, home. He was a two-year starter at Howard College, where he earned First-Team All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference accolades as a sophomore. That year, Akpan was third in the conference in field goal percentage at .626, and he led the league in blocked shots with 2.03 per game. Howard reached the Region V semifinals in Akpan's sophomore year, and he helped lead the team to the WJCAC title and a Region V championship as a freshman.

    Kaspar is already aglow at the prospects Akpan presents defensively, calling him "a great defender and the best shot-blocker I've ever had at SFA." The 26-year-old Akpan should also be an asset in the locker room as a leader and a calming influence. "Benson has already been a very pleasant addition to our program," Kaspar added. "His maturity and attitude have helped us a great deal during fall workouts."

    Akpan is majoring in business management at SFA.

    Below are Akpan's responses to the Lumberjack newcomer survey:

    Q: What is your favorite professional sports team?

    A: Dallas Mavericks.

    Q: Who are your favorite athletes?

    A: Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.

    Q: What's your biggest hobby, other than basketball?

    A: Soccer.

    Q: What was the biggest factor in your decision to come to Stephen F. Austin?

    A: It was the best fit for my situation.

    Q: What do you think is your best attribute on the court?

    A: Defense.

    Q: What has been the toughest part of preseason practice, so far?

    A: The running.

    Q: If you had to sum up this year's team in one word, what would it be?

    A: Hard-working.

    Q: What position, besides your natural position, would you like to play and why?

    A: Small forward, because I would love to shoot the ball more.

    Q: What's your most prized possession?

    A: My family.

    • Get your first glimpse of Benson Akpan and the rest of the 2007-08 Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks at Mardi Gras Madness, tonight in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The event is set to tip off at 11:30 p.m. The Lumberjacks begin their season on Nov. 5 with a home exhibition game against Abilene Christian.

    -- SFA --