Current Desert Vista High School 6-foot-11 rising senior post Steele Bennett has had a very interesting summer for himself. Last week, while playing with his club program, The Factory in the Fab 48 Las Vegas NCAA-certified event, Bennett would injure his foot in the first game of the event - causing him to miss the entire competition, and now the remainder of the summer's NCAA evaluation period.
The results of Bennett's injury are still unknown, although he looks like a possible break in his foot.
Bennett also recently decided to leave the Desert Vista High School basketball program, and will now transfer schools for his final senior season. It is still unknown as to where Bennett will land next high school season, although his club coach Kenny Mullins advised us that he is considering attending Taylor Made Prep this fall, a local charter school that is based out of the Kroc Center in South Phoenix.
Bennett did not have a good junior season for himself, but he did pick up his play this spring and summer, while traveling with his club program on the club circuit. As a result of his play and his potential for the future, Bennett received an offer Montana State University in the spring, his only scholarship offer to date. Many schools have expressed interest in Bennett though, so if he can recover effectively from his recent injury, I look for him to generate many more offers for himself this final season of high school.
Bennett is a member of the Mormon faith, so it will be very interesting to see where he lands for college. It is still very unclear as to whether he will take a Mormon mission after he graduates next spring.
I will continue to follow the recovery of Bennett, his selection of high school for his final senior season and his continued progress as a player and college recruitment, and bring you updates as they continue to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Bennett is a very big post prospect with excellent size for the college level. Standing 6-11 in height, there are not many players around his size. Bennett has a solid overall skill level, but does not play inspired basketball at this point and needs to get much quicker in his moves and explosion off the ground. He does though have a soft touch from the perimeter and a solid jump hook in the post, but he still needs to refine his overall post moves to become a much more effective scorer around the low block. Needs to be much more assertive in his approach to the game to reach his full potential as a player. A solid rebounder that keeps balls in play and is a solid finisher around the basket, but more explosion off the ground will help him immensely over time to finish around the basket. Runs the floor well. OK athlete. Solid low-post defender. Has some upside.
