Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk: The Ultimate Team Player Bids Farewell to College Basketball
Every time Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk steps onto the court, fans know exactly what to expect. Scoring has never been his defining trait—he’s averaged just 1.6 points per game over his six-year collegiate career—but his impact goes far beyond the scoreboard.
Bosmans-Verdonk has embraced the role of an enforcer, always willing to do the dirty work and make tough plays. One moment, in particular, stands out as the perfect example of his grit: a game against Auburn earlier this season.
With South Carolina holding a slim lead and five minutes left in regulation, Auburn guard Denver Jones saw an opening to the basket. But Bosmans-Verdonk had other plans. Charging into the lane, he threw both arms up, blocking the shot and sending Jones to the floor. Standing over him, Bosmans-Verdonk removed his facemask and took in the moment—a moment that he calls his favorite during his time with the Gamecocks.
“My facemask got smacked off a little bit, and so I took it off,” he recalled. “That was a cool moment that people liked. So I liked that. That was cool.”
Embracing His Role
Throughout his time at South Carolina, Bosmans-Verdonk has never been a player who racks up big minutes. After transferring from Illinois, he started 14 games in his first season, averaging nearly 15 minutes per game. Over the past two years, that number has dropped to under 10 minutes per game, but that has never discouraged him.
He understands that others may be more talented, but whenever he gets the opportunity, he’s determined to give maximum effort.
“For where I’m at right now in life, as well as basketball, I think my strength is being able to uplift other people, and I feel like I took that role kind of to heart whenever I was in there,” Bosmans-Verdonk said.
“I just wanted to be a little spark of energy and give our guys a little push wherever I could provide. I mean, my teammates are super talented. For me, it was just about figuring out how I can contribute to what they’re doing.”
And contribute he has. While his minutes may be limited, his energy and presence on the court make a difference whenever he checks into a game.
Preparing for Life After Basketball
As Bosmans-Verdonk nears the end of his college basketball journey, he is well aware that his time is running out. He has already participated in Senior Night ceremonies and is now preparing for the SEC Tournament, where South Carolina will face Arkansas.
If the Gamecocks lose on Wednesday, it will mark the conclusion of a frustrating season—one that lacked an NCAA Tournament appearance after last year’s success. But while his basketball career winds down, his future is already taking shape.
Bosmans-Verdonk has secured a full-time position at Sidley Austin, one of the top law firms in the country. Still, until the final buzzer sounds, he remains locked in on giving everything he has for his team.
“The closer the end gets, the more real it becomes,” he said. “So I’ve just been trying to live in the moment and really enjoy it. I have a lot of things to be excited about, but at the same time, I’ll look around like I’m here, and it’s being around special people in a special place. So this has been awesome.”
For Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, the numbers may not tell his story, but his heart, hustle, and leadership will leave a lasting impact on South Carolina basketball.
