Listen To Story Above

High Point University basketball guard Trae Benham demonstrated remarkable faith and humility following his team’s defeat in the NCAA tournament, choosing to focus on his spiritual convictions rather than dwelling on the loss.

The Panthers fell to Purdue in their first-round matchup, with the final scoreboard showing 75-63. Benham contributed 11 points to his team’s effort.

However, it was his powerful post-game press conference that captured widespread attention. During the media session, Benham spoke earnestly about how Coach Alan Huss had helped shape his spiritual perspective.

“I realized, and Coach Huss helped me realize, that there’s something so much deeper than your own selfish desires, and that’s to get a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said.

“We talk about it all the time, but that’s called sacrifice, and sacrificial love runs deep,” Benham added.

“That’s why this brotherhood is unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of. But I want to give glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because He’s the one that sacrificed for us,” he continued.

“He’s a leader, and it’s Him that’s the reason why we were able to do that. And it’s Him that’s the reason we were able to sacrifice and to get a part of something bigger than ourselves and to crucify our own egos and our own desires every single day.”

His straightforward declaration of faith resonated deeply with many viewers, sparking an outpouring of support across social media platforms.

The moment held particular significance given the historic nature of High Point’s season. The Panthers had achieved their first NCAA Tournament appearance since transitioning to Division I in 1999, reaching this milestone under Coach Huss’s second year of leadership.

Despite the disappointment of their tournament exit, Benham maintained an unwavering focus on his spiritual perspective. In an era where religious expression often faces scrutiny, particularly in athletics, the young player chose to use his platform to share his faith.

The social media response was overwhelmingly positive, with numerous users praising his bold testimony. Commenters admired his clarity of purpose, his ability to praise God even in defeat, and his strong witness for his beliefs.

Rather than lamenting what could have been, Benham seized the opportunity to share his faith on a national stage, transforming a moment of athletic defeat into a powerful testimony of his spiritual victory.