Bennie Boatwright

Bennie Boatwright
Boatwright with the San Miguel Beermen in 2026
No. 25 – Fujian Sturgeons
PositionPower forward
LeagueCBA
Personal information
Born (1996-07-13) July 13, 1996 (age 30)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight
235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolVillage Christian
(Sun Valley, California)
CollegeUSC (2015–2019)
2019: undrafted
Playing career
2019–present
Career history
2019–2021Memphis Hustle
2021Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan
2021–2023Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2023Libertadores de Querétaro
2023–2024San Miguel Beermen
2024Shanxi Loongs
2025Taipei Fubon Braves
2026Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
2026San Miguel Beermen
2026–presentFujian Sturgeons
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Bennie Francois Boatwright III (born July 13, 1996) is an American-born naturalized Filipino professional basketball player for the Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.

Early life

Boatwright is the son of police officer Bennie Boatwright Sr., who was an All-CIF shooting guard at Lutheran High. Boatwright attended Village Christian School, where he was coached by Jon Shaw. As a senior, he averaged 27 points and 12 rebounds per game. Boatwright led the team to a Southern Section 1AA championship, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the title game. He signed with USC.

College career

Boatwright with the USC Trojans in 2016

Boatwright averaged 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and made 60 3-pointers as a freshman. As a sophomore, he averaged a team-high 15.1 points and helped the Trojans to two wins in the NCAA tournament. He declared for the NBA draft but ultimately returned to school. His junior season was shortened as he missed the final nine games. He averaged 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a junior. In the offseason after his junior year, Boatwright underwent knee surgery. As a senior, Boatwright averaged 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He was named to the First Team All-Pac-12.

Professional career

Memphis Hustle (2019–2021)

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Boatwright joined the Detroit Pistons' Summer League roster.

On October 18, 2019, Boatwright signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, but was waived on October 19. He was named to the roster of the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. Boatwright missed his rookie season due to a knee injury. On December 15, 2020, Boatwright signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was subsequently waived on December 19, and rejoined the Hustle.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021–2023)

On September 10, 2021, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants acquired the returning player rights of Boatwright from the Memphis Hustle. However, he was waived on February 19, 2022, after suffering a season-ending injury.

On September 16, 2022, Boatwright signed with the Indiana Pacers. He was then later waived. On September 26, he re-signed with the Mad Ants, but was waived on February 8, 2023.

San Miguel Beermen (2023–2024)

In December 2023, Boatwright signed with the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to replace Ivan Aska as the team's import for the 2023–24 PBA Commissioner's Cup. In his second game, he scored 51 points in a 132–110 win against the Terrafirma Dyip.

Boatwright and the Beermen won the championship by defeating the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in six games, earning his first as a professional.

Shanxi Loongs (2024)

On February 28, 2024, Boatwright signed with the Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was afflicted by an injury in August 2024 for which he had treatment for it.

Taipei Fubon Braves (2025)

In August 2025, Boatwright signed a test contract with the Taipei Fubon Braves of the Taiwanese P. League+. On October 8, he made his debut for the team in the East Asia Super League. On October 24, he signed a formal contract with the team. On December 31, his contract was terminated.

Daegu KOGAS Pegasus (2026)

On January 5, 2026, Boatwright signed with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus of the Korean Basketball League, replacing Nick Perkins.

San Miguel Beermen (2026)

Boatwright returned to San Miguel Beermen in the PBA as a mid-tournament replacement for import Justin Patton in the 2026 Commissioner's Cup. Boatwright was being considered to be brought in earlier in the tournament but was unavailable due to his commitments with Daegu at the time. He played his first game of the conference with SMB in April 2026.

Fujian Sturgeons (2026–present)

On September 3, 2026, he signed with the Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Personal life

Boatwright is a dual citizen, and was granted Filipino citizenship via naturalization through a bill which lapsed into law on August 31, 2026. He became a candidate for naturalization as early as April 2024. The process was stalled due to his August 2024 injury. He took his oath of allegiance and obtained a Philippine passport in October 2026. His Filipino citizenship makes him eligible to play for the Philippine national team.

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 USC 333224.4.394.359.7385.21.0.4.811.5
2016–17 USC 191827.6.428.364.9074.51.7.4.415.1
2017–18 USC 231827.7.415.346.7266.42.0.3.813.6
2018–19 USC 312833.5.474.429.7026.62.5.7.618.2
Career 1069628.3.432.380.7595.71.8.5.714.5

References

  1. ↑ Barnes, Evan (February 23, 2015). "Village Christian's USC-bound Bennie Boatwright transforms to all-around threat". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  2. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (March 7, 2015). "Boys' basketball: Bennie Boatwright leads Village Christian to 1AA title". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  3. ↑ Daniels, Evan (February 1, 2017). "USC forward Bennie Boatwright set for return to action". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  4. ↑ McCullough, J. Brady (November 5, 2018). "Bennie Boatwright gets one final shot at a special season with USC's basketball team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  5. ↑ Kaufman, Joey (November 12, 2018). "USC basketball hopes Bennie Boatwright is back vs. Vanderbilt". Orange County Register. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  6. ↑ J. Brady, McCullough (June 19, 2019). "USC's Bennie Boatwright has size and skill, but will he get an NBA chance?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Memphis Grizzlies sign Bennie Boatwright". NBA.com. October 18, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  8. ↑ "2018-19 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams announced". Pac-12 Conference. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  9. ↑ "HOOPS: Boatwright signs with Detroit at undrafted free agent". 247Sports. June 21, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies waive three players". NBA.com. October 19, 2019. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Memphis Hustle announce final roster". NBA.com. November 4, 2019. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Bennie Boatwright: No return in sight". CBS Sports. February 20, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Zhaire Smith and Bennie Boatwright". NBA.com. December 15, 2020. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies finalize 2020-21 regular season roster". NBA.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  15. ↑ Vance, Dan (September 10, 2021). "Mad Ants acquire rights to Boatwright from Memphis Hustle". WANE. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  16. ↑ "2021-2022 Fort Wayne Mad Ants Transactions History". RealGM.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Pacers Announce Signings". www.nba.com. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ "2022-23 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ↑ "2022-2023 Fort Wayne Mad Ants Transactions History". RealGM.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  20. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (December 16, 2023). "SMB keeps Ivan Aska for now as replacement Boatwright down with flu". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Boatwright drops 51, powers SMB to fourth straight win versus Terrafirma". PBA.ph. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Sweet steal, escape, triumph for Beermen". PBA.ph. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  23. ↑ "山西男篮再添猛将". 太原新闻网. February 28, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  24. ↑ Henson, Joaquin (November 18, 2025). "Bennie's back in town". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Henson, Joaquin (February 4, 2025). "Where's Bennie?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  26. ↑ Sayson, Homer (August 20, 2025). "Bennie Boatwright signs with Taipei Fubon Braves". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 "臺北富邦勇士正式簽約柏萊特(Bennie Boatwright)". P. LEAGUE+. October 24, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  28. ↑ "東超曾轟21分卻難敵PLG考核！富邦勇士與柏萊特解約". ETtoday運動雲. December 31, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  29. ↑ "가스공사, 새 대체 외국인 보트라이트 영입…5일 소노전 출격". 연합뉴스. January 5, 2026. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  30. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (April 12, 2026). "San Miguel flying in Bennie Boatwright ASAP after reaching deal". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  31. ↑ Micaller, Bea (April 19, 2026). "Bennie Boatwright on explosive return for San Miguel: 'It's like I never left'". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  32. ↑ Terrado, Jonas (April 14, 2026). "PBA: 'Everything looks good' as Bennie Boatwright makes SMB return". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  33. ↑ "官宣 | 欢迎本尼·博特赖特加入福建SBS浔兴大家庭". 新浪体育. September 3, 2026. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Bennie Boatwright naturalization bill lapses into law, but Asiad stint ruled out". Tiebreaker Times. September 2, 2026. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
  35. ↑ Fuertes, Rommel Jr. (August 19, 2025). "SBP still eyeing Bennie Boatwright for Gilas". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  36. ↑ Tuazon, Ernest (November 19, 2025). "House begins process for naturalizing Diouf, Boatwright, Means". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  37. ↑ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (October 27, 2026). "Boatwright obtains Philippine passport as naturalization finalized for Gilas". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 27, 2026.