VIDEO: Kent State's Kalin Bennett Becomes First Autistic Player to Score in Division I Game
By Michael Luciano
Something groundbreaking went down in Kent, Ohio last night. Kalin Bennett, a 6-11, 300-pound center from Little Rock, became the first basketball player with autism to both sign a letter of intent with a D-1 program and also get on the floor. Late in the Golden Flashes' win over Hiram College, Bennett powered to the rim for a jump hook, scoring his first two points of the season.
Kalin Bennett, the first player diagnosed with autism to sign a letter of intent in D-1 basketball, scored the first points of his college career for @KentStMBB! ? #GoFlashespic.twitter.com/r6Y1OGAD5g
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 7, 2019
Bennett also grabbed two rebounds off of the bench in six minutes, in what was a 97-58 win for the Flashes. The MAC Center could barely contain itself after Bennett's first minutes, as the student section erupted in cheers every time he grabbed a rebound.
You're watching history! Kalin Bennett is the first player with autism to be signed to a D1 school. It's electric in the arena as he gets the rebound! @wkyc @KentState pic.twitter.com/2Rfmg3a4Sd
— Dorsena Drakeford (@dorsena_news) November 7, 2019
Bennett deserves all the praise in the world. Hopefully his actions and impressive play on the court can help destroy the stigma around autistic athletes and lead to more players with autism to suit up on D-1 courts all over the country.