Recruiting Report: Ameer Bennett (2017)
When evaluating prospects, especially big men, it’s always a positive thing to see them improving every time you watch them play. After watching St. Chris at least ten times this season, it’s safe to say that is the case for…
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Continue ReadingWhen evaluating prospects, especially big men, it’s always a positive thing to see them improving every time you watch them play. After watching St. Chris at least ten times this season, it’s safe to say that is the case for 6’8” Ameer Bennett.
Bennett was a project when he transferred to St. Chris and reclassified to the 2017 class his sophomore year. He was always a hard working kid, one that would give you 100% every minute he was on the floor, but he was still raw and weak.
Just two seasons later, Bennett holds offers from Longwood, VMI, Bryant and West Virginia Wesleyan. The success didn’t happen over night however, it was a process of year-round hard work.
“I’ve really focused on getting in the weight room, working on my ball handling and my midrange jump shot so I can hit it consistently,” Bennett said.
The work has paid off, as Bennett looks like a completely different player. In the post, he’s now able to bang with stronger players and use his length when he walls up to contest shots at the rim. He rebounds it well, especially on the offensive glass where he creates extra opportunities for his team.
That midrange has come along too, which he showed off at the Vantage Hoops Spring Showcase where he hit from 8-15 feet regularly.
Ameer Bennett has been one of the most improved bigs in VA.“I can feel how much stronger I’ve become, and I’m starting to become comfortable and more consistent hitting the midrange jumper, especially in games,” Bennett said.
While we’ll be the first to say that a reclass year is overused and doesn’t help everyone, Bennett was one of the ones that truly needed it. He wasn’t taking another year because of academics, he sports a 3.7 GPA, but he needed another year to get his body right and improve his game for the next level.
“The reclass year was great because it gave me more time to develop and get better. Transferring to St. Chris was good for me too, because they’re successful and I’m a very competitive person. I hate to lose.”
Bennett’s work with both St. Chris and his AAU program River City Reign haven’t gone unnoticed by college coaches. On top of the four offers he currently has, he has serious interest from a number of programs including JMU, Elon, Lafayette, Furman, UMES, Denver, Princeton and Arkansas State.
With his size, work ethic and the fact that he’s constantly getting better, expect to hear more from his recruitment in the next 15 months. He’s worked his way from a role player to an integral part of both his high school and AAU team, and a player with his kind of perseverance doesn’t become content with where he’s at now, he’s going to continue to work to get better.
Bennett will be in Hampton this weekend with River City Reign for the Hoop Group Southern JamFest at Boo Williams Complex. Check out his junior season highlight below.