#42 Jenni Benningfield 6-3, Junior, F Hometown- Louisville, Ky. High School- Assumption

2001-02 (Sophomore): Played in all 37 games while starting in 27...averaged 23.9 minutes, 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds a game...shot 41 percent from the field (80-195) and 41.2 percent from 3-point range (42-102), fourth in the SEC...Leading scorer in one game and leading rebounder in six games...Numbered 83 assists, 26 steals and seven blocked shots...Scored in double figures in seven games with a season high 15 vs. Oregon State...Numbered double-digit rebounds in two games - 10 vs. LSU and 10 vs. Arizona State...SEC Tournament: Started all three games and averaged 24.3 minutes, 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds a game...Shot 42.9 percent from the field (9-21), including 5-11 from 3-point range...After missing two free throws with 21 seconds remaining and VU ahead of Arkansas 79-78, Jenni took a charge with nine seconds remaining to give VU the ball and hold on for the win in the semifinal game...NCAA Tournament: Averaged 31.3 minutes, 6.3 points and 6.0 rebounds a game...Totaled 13 points vs. North Carolina hitting 5-11 from the field, including 3-5 from 3-point range.

2000-01 (Freshman): Started in every game averaging 31.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 7.1 rebounds (6th in the SEC) and 3.1 assists a game...Hit 56 of 139 from 3-point range for a 40.3 percentage sixth in the SEC ...Her 56 3-pointers are a VU Freshman record...Scored in double figures in 16 games...leading rebounder in 11 games...Recorded back-to-back double-doubles with 19 points/13 rebounds vs. Howard and 14 points/15 rebounds. vs. Mississippi...Hit her first seven consecutive shots vs. UNC-Asheville before missing two. She also hit 4 of 5 from 3-point range and totaled six rebounds, four assists and one steal...After going 1-7 from the field vs. Temple and not connecting on a 3-pointer, Jenni totaled 7 of 9 from the field, 4 of 5 from 3-point range for 19 points vs. Howard along with a career-high 13 rebounds....Played 36 minutes and totaled a career-high 15 rebounds vs. Mississippi. She recorded a double-double with her 15 rebounds and 14 points...Totaled game-high 12 rebounds at Kentucky and numbered five assists, one blocked shot and one steal...Totaled a career-high 21 points vs. South Carolina. She hit VUšs first three buckets of the game, all 3-pointers, and finished the game 7-15 from the field (3-5 threešs) and 4-6 from the line...Recorded the third double-double of her career with 17 points and 12 rebounds at Florida leading VU scorers and rebounders...SEC Tournament: Averaged 31 minutes, 3.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game...Did not hit a field goal vs. Tennessee or Georgia - marking the only time all season she did not hit a field goal...NCAA Tournament: Started all four games and averaged 32.8 minutes 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds a game...Recorded a double-double vs. Colorado with 11 points and 11 rebounds (nine defensive)...Numbered a career-high seven assists vs. Iowa State

High School (Assumption): Averaged 21.9 points and 12.5 rebounds a game her senior season at Assumption High School...Is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at her high school with 2,578 points (19.1 average) and 1,480 rebounds (12.5 average)...Totaled 452 career blocked shots...Helped lead her team to a four-year record of 118-17...Assumption HS finished as the 1999 Kentucky state runnerup, but Benningfield led the tournament in total points (86), total rebounds (37) and total blocked shots (20)...State All-Tournament selection in 1997 & 1999...Four-time all-district and all-region selection...2000 Kentucky Miss Basketball...Led the Kentucky All-Star team in points and rebounds in a two-game series vs. the Indiana All-Stars. She totaled 51 points in the two-game series...Earned All-America honors from NIKE (1998 & 1999), Parade Magazine (2000), Street & Smith (1999, 2000), Student Sports Magazine (2000), Full Court Press (2000) and Womenšs Basketball Journal...Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000...Kentucky AAU All-Stars in 1996, 1997, 1998...2000 USA Today Kentucky Female High School Basketball Player of the Year...

Worth Noting: Her #42 jersey is retired from Assumption High School and was displayed at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn....Was a Volleyball All-American and ranked nationally as the second best player in the class of 2000 (Junior season)...Helped lead her team to three state championships. Her team was never defeated by a Kentucky team...Did not play volleyball her senior season due to knee surgery...Jenni has had both of her feet broken at the same time...Brother Tony sheds a piece of clothing each time his baby sister hits a 3-pointer or takes a charge.

Trophy Case
*2000 Kentucky Miss Basketball
*1999 & 2000 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year
*2000 USA Today Kentucky Female High School Player of the Year
*2000 Parade All-American
*1999 & 2000 Street & Smith All-American
*1998 & 1999 NIKE All-America
*2000 Student Sports Magazine All-American
*2000 Women's Basketball Journal All-American
*1999 Associated Press Kentucky High School Female Athlete of the Year
*1998 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kentucky High School Athlete of
the Year
*2000 Kentucky High School Coaches Association Outstanding Female Senior
Player
*1999 & 2000 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year
*1997 & 1999 State All-Tournament selection

Personal
Full Name: Jennifer Ann Benningfield
Nickname: JB, Jenni Benni, Benni
Birthdate: October 6, 1981
Place of Birth: Louisville, Kentucky
Parents: Bill and Martha Benningfield
Brothers: Scott (31), Dan (29), Tony (24)
Major: Human and Organizational Development
Minor: Psychology
Career Goals: Be a coach and a sports counselor/psychologist, but most importantly be successful at whatever life hands me

Favorites
Dessert: Anything chocolate and peanut butter
Vacation Spot: Chilling at home in Louisville
Strength & Conditioning Drill: Pool workout (front pyramid)
Number: 42
Television Show: ESPN and The Real World
Car: My Jeep Cherokee Sport
Basketball Memories: Cutting down the nets after winning the SEC Tournament, going to Italy, and beating Tennessee
Pastimes: dancing, playing PlayStation, driving around

More on Jenni
CD in my player right now: Linkin Park or a mixed CD
Superstitions: Give everyone on the team a high five before the game and keep a small piece of the net from winning the SEC Tournament under my basketball shorts for good luck
If I could bring one thing to Nashville from my hometown, it would be:
Waterfront Park
Ideal Job: Basketball player

Benningfield's Career Statistics

 

Year	G-GS	M-Avg	FG-A	Pct	3P-A	Pct
2000-01	34-34	1070-31.5	113-266	.425	56-139	.403
2001-02	37-27	885-23.9	80-195	.410	42-102	.412
Total	71-61	1995-27.5	193-461	.418	98-241	.406