2020-21 Women's Basketball Roster

#20 Nicole Benz 2019-20 Women's Basketball Roster

Guard


Height 5-8
Class Junior
Hometown Valencia, CA
High School William S. Hart
Nicole Benz - Women's Basketball - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

CAREER HONORS

  • 2018-19:
    • Elite 90 Award

CAREER HIGHS

  • Pts: 3 (vs UNC, 2/1/18)
  • Rebs: 3 (vs Harvard, 11/9/18)
  • FGM: 1, 6x (last vs Louisville, 1/30/20)
  • FGA: 2, 8x (last vs NC State, 1/12/20)
  • 3FGM: 1, 2x (last vs Louisville, 1/30/20)
  • 3FGA: 2, 2x (last vs Villanova, 3/18/18)
  • FTM: 2 (vs Harvard, 11/9/18)
  • FTA: 2 (vs Harvard, 11/9/18)
  • Ast: 1, 2x (last at Marquette, 12/22/18)
  • Stl: 1 (vs Louisville, 1/30/20)
  • Min: 10 (vs Binghamton, 12/16/18)

SENIOR SEASON (2020-21)

  • Was awarded a scholarship for her senior season. Was a walk-on since the 2017-18 championship season.
  • Made her first career start on Senior Day vs Florida St on Feb. 25. Played two minutes and had +4 in plus/minus.

JUNIOR SEASON (2019-20)

  • Made appearances in 14 games, averaging 1.8 minutes/game.
  • Drained a three against both NC State on Jan. 12 and Louisville on Jan. 30.
  • Earned her first career steal vs Louisville on Jan. 30 as well.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2018-19)

  • Started the 2018-19 season as a student-manager before receiving the call-up once again right before the season opener.
  • Officially surpassed the amount of games she played in last season with 23 appearances this year. Has averaged 3.1 minutes.
  • Recipient of the Elite 90 award – which recognizes the student-athlete with the highest GPA at a championship event.
  • Reeled in a rebound vs MSU in the Second Round on March 25.
  • Notched her first collegiate assist vs WKU on Dec. 19.
  • Played a career high 10 minutes vs Binghamton (12/16), where she reeled in 2 rebounds.
  • Recorded her 2nd career field goal at No. 15 DePaul on Nov. 17, 3rd vs No. 14 Iowa on Nov. 29 and 4th vs Virginia on March 3.
  • Made her first pair of collegiate free throws in the season opener vs Harvard on Nov. 9. Also reeled in a career high three rebounds. 

FRESHMAN SEASON (2017-18)

  • Was the third walk-on for the Irish for the 2017-18 championship season, where she made 13 appearances on the year.
  • Reeled in a rebound in last three appearance and in five of the last six.
  • Earned her first collegiate points by sinking a three vs UNC on Feb. 1.
  • Grabbed a career best two rebounds vs Clemson on Jan. 21. Tied that mark with two boards vs Virginia Tech on Feb. 22.
  • Played in her first collegiate game for the Irish at Georgia Tech on Jan. 7, checking-in in the final minute.

Prep:

  • Attended William S. Hart High School
  • Lettered four years on the varsity basketball team
  • Led the Indians to the California Interscholastic Federation semis and were Foothill League runner-ups in her sophomore season, achieving a 23-8 record
  • Finished in third place in the Foothill League all other seasons
  • Was named All-CIF Second Team as a junior
  • All-Santa Clarita Valley First Team as a junior and senior
  • All-Foothill League First Team as a senior
  • Team captain in both her junior and senior year campaigns
  • Achieved a career high 25 points during her junior season
  • Highlight of prep career was defeating Buena on the road in the playoffs in her senior year
  • Also played travel basketball for Triple Threat
  • Editor in Chief of The Smoke Signal (school newspaper), Key Club President, National Honor Society Vice President and Girl Scout Gold Award recipient

Personal:

  • Daughter of John & Nancy Benz
  • Oldest of three siblings
  • Enjoys reading in her spare time
  • Loves to go wakeboarding and camping in the summertime
  • Majoring in Engineering