Rod Benson

Staff Writer

Rod was a former Cal basketball player from 2002 to 2006 and a professional player in the NBA D-League and in international competition from 2006 to 2018. He is also a recently published author with his book, Different Dude. Rod has done blogs and podcasts with Bear Insider since 2023.

The Rodcast: The Portal

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 12 days ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal basketball's portal activity, including the addition of NBA legacy Jordan Pippen

The Benson Blog: Cal Season in Review

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 1 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's Benson Blog, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about the highs and lows of Cal's 2024-25 season

The Rodcast: That Was a Special 3 games

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 1 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's resurgence and gritty battles in the final three games of the season

Never miss the latest news from Bear Insider!

Join our free email list

The Rodcast: More of the Same

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 1 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's struggles wrapping up the regular season.

The Rodcast: It's Winding Down

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 2 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's season so far heading into the final games before the ACC tournament

The Rodcast: Our Offense Needs Help

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 2 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's most recent road trip, focusing on the Bears' OT loss at Georgia Tech on Saturday

The Benson Blog: Cal Basketball GM

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 2 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's Benson Blog, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about the idea of Cal Basketball hiring a GM and what the implications could be

The Rodcast: Finding Balance

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 2 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's loss to Syracuse and last night's win over NC State

The Benson Blog - Will it Work?

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 3 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's Benson Blog, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about the Bears' style of offense and defense

The Rodcast: Cal Head Coach Mark Madsen

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 3 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks with Cal head coach Mark Madsen about the Bears' 3-game winning streak and more

The Rodcast: Cal vs NC State Breakdown

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 3 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's 65-62 road victory over NC State

The Benson Blog: Checking In

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 3 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's Benson Blog, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about

The Rodcast: It's a Lot of Things

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 4 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's recent struggles on the court entering ACC play

The Rodcast: Cal-Stanford Breakdown

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 4 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's loss at home to Stanford last week

The Rodcast: Two Hours With Mendoza

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 4 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about his conversation with Cal QB Fernando Mendoza about looking at and doing things in a different way at Cal

The Rodcast: I'm Not Mad at It

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 5 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's 98-93 loss to Missouri

The Rodcast: The Greatest Drive Ever?

Cal Bears Football ⋅ 5 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's quick podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's exciting 24-21 Big Game win over Stanford this afternoon and QB Fernando Mendoza's big 98-yard game-clinching TD drive

The Rodcast - Cal vs USC Breakdown

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 5 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's 71-66 win over USC in LA on Sunday

The Rodcast: It Looked Unfair

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 5 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's podcast, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about Cal's 2-0 start and riffs on the level of competition and Cal's talent advantage

The Benson Blog - I Miss That Energy

Cal Bears Basketball ⋅ 6 mo ago by Rod Benson

In today's Benson Blog, former Cal and professional center and Bear Insider commentator Rod Benson talks about bringing the energy back to Cal sports with tonight's season opener at Haas Pavilion