Corey Benjamin

Benjamin Basketball, at six feet two inches, is an impressively capable player. So talented is he that his team wins even when he is not participating in games!

He earned the NMAA Gatorade New Mexico Boys Basketball Player of the Year honor in 2021 and led his Bulldawgs to three state title game appearances during that season.

Early Life and Education

Benjamin propelled New Mexico State men’s basketball into an era of dominance during his time with them in the late ’80s and early ’90s, leading them to make one National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance and three NCAA Tournament tournament appearances during that period.

He was an accomplished long-range shooter and defender, finishing his college career with 209 steals, the highest total in school history. For this accomplishment he earned all-American status as well as Parade All-America status.

Benjamin remains dedicated to basketball today. As head coach of Las Cruces High School’s boy’s basketball program, he has built one of the state’s premier powerhouses over 13 years – winning eight district and 2 state championships and receiving one MaxPreps ranking as number-one program in Colorado.

Professional Career

Cori Benjamin had an outstanding high school career but struggled to find his niche when it came to professional basketball. His entire career was put on hold after one technical foul against him cost his team the state semifinal championship game.

Benjamin is an impressive offensive guard who excels at making plays both off the ball and on the wing, as well as being an exceptional rebounder for his size. At Pitt he played in 86 games totalling 1,272 points and 632 rebounds before leaving to pursue his NBA dreams as a free agent (hoping to sign with Charlotte Bobcats as starter again).

Achievement and Honors

Benjamin earned MaxPreps New Mexico Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors, garnering him an invite to compete in the 2023 Gatorade National Boys High School Basketball Game. Additionally, he was honored as two-time All-State and helped guide his team to a state runner-up finish.

Benjamin made history late in the fourth quarter of Canyon’s CIF Southern Section division 2AA playoff game against JSerra by banked an amazing one-handed floater from off the glass at the buzzer to secure Canyon a 58-56 win and an appearance in the semifinals.

As Gatorade Player of the Year, Benjamin will have the chance to give back through Gatorade’s Play It Forward program by giving away a $1,000 grant to any youth sports organization of his choosing – planning on using this grant to support local programs for young athletes in his area.

Personal Life

Corey Benjamin’s mother was a nurse and well aware that a second shot would likely cause permanent damage, so she requested his removal from life support and shortly afterwards, he died.

Ben Raymond encourages children to work hard at their education and makes positive choices that lead to successful outcomes in the future. In his keynote speeches he encourages companies to embrace diversity within their workplace.

Melissa Lee is a news anchor and reporter for CNBC. She married Benjamin Kallo on August 18th 2017; they have no children together but like to travel around together, enjoying adventures like jungle safaris.

Net Worth

Corey Benjamin is an iconic name in basketball. Over his long and successful career he has played for various national and international clubs, amassing an estimated net worth of approximately three million U.S. dollars.

He has secured several commercial agreements with well-known brands like Footlocker and Beats by Dre. Additionally, he has invested in several startups to add wealth to his fortune.

Cori Hunt is his daughter from his marriage with Tyra Hunt and they share two dogs named Maxine and Bo. Recently, his daughter became embroiled in a controversial incident where she punched another girl and caused head trauma; as a result she was suspended from league for one week but her father decided not to press charges against her.