Kaden Benne has spent countless hours on a basketball court and has enjoyed every minute.

The Mexico senior signed to play basketball at Central Methodist University in Fayette and held his signing ceremony on May 12 at the Mexico Sports Complex. Benne is a three-time all-conference, two-time all-district and was an academic all-state player this year.

Kaden Benne Signing Photo Gallery

“It’s definitely exciting as it’s something I’ve worked for for a while,” Benne said. “I can’t wait to get down there and work.”

Benne said he realized he wanted to play college basketball since he was in kindergarten. It said it has “never been a job but more of just going out there and having fun and being good at something.” 

Despite missing some games this season with an injury, Benne had plenty of fun while averaging 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, a team-high 38 percent 3-point percentage and a team-high 77 percent free-throw percentage. He earned all-conference, all-district and academic all-state honors.

There has been a pipeline between Mexico and Central Methodist in recent years with several athletes signing for multiple sports. Two basketball alums, Isaiah Reams and PJ Perkins, just finished playing this past season at Central Methodist. Benne’s teammate Perkins will be waiting for him, and Benne’s cousin Reams just graduated.

“It’s close to home and is a great school,” Benne said. “I watched a lot of games because my cousin just graduated from there. They’re a good school with a good basketball program, and I think I’ll fit in well down there.”

Mexico head coach Darren Pappas said the resume speaks for itself as Benne was a starter for two district championship teams that also played in the state quarterfinals and helped the Bulldogs. Benne has “a lot of upside” and is “a student of the game,” Pappas said, but is also a big “gym rat.” 

Pappas said Benne was “constantly bothering” him to unlock the gym, even on weekends, so he could do some extra practice. He said this didn’t bug him at all because he welcomes communication from past and current players and it makes him proud to see them show this much dedication. It wouldn’t surprise Pappas if Benne maintains this work ethic in the future.

“He’s really going to excel at the next level because he’s going to put in the time and the effort,” Pappas said. “You need those kids that are dedicated to the game. He’s definitely one of those kids.”

Benne has hit a lot of 3-pointers as a Bulldog, 151 to be exact, so he said people definitely take notice of his shooting. However, he is proudest of his defense because it helps the team a lot and leads to great reward for those willing to work for it.

“That’s something coach Pappas and (Dion) Bosco (Nunnelly) really instilled into my game,” Benne said. “We drill it every day in practice. When it comes down to it, it’s just grit. How much do you want it and do you want to do it?”

Before he plans to study engineering to eventually go to graduate school, Benne said he can’t wait to improve even more and be useful to his new team. He has fond memories with his old team, like winning three conference and two district championships.

“I’m definitely really grateful to have received so many conference and district championships with the team,” Benne said. “It’s not something every high schooler gets to do, but we were lucky enough to do it here.”