*Photo courtesy of Leila Navidi/Star Tribune*
Byron Bynum is one of the top football players in the state, ranked as a top-25 prospect by Northstar Football News. He’s a heck of a basketball player too.
Bynum spent the spring and summer playing grassroots with Minnesota Select Leafblad where he had an opportunity to play against top-level competition on a weekly basis. He more than held his own.
“I thought it went well,” Bynum said. “I think we really developed and starting playing well together the more we played together. I think I played well most of the season. Got a lot better at shooting the ball especially but really as an overall player too. Playing against better players all the time forces you to get better too.”
Bynum is a top-notch wide receiver and defensive back for the Bengals and his athleticism translates to the hardwood as he’s a terrific slasher and open-floor player. Bynum excels at using his speed and quickness to break down defenses and create open shots for shooters or bigs running to the rim. He’ll take some risks on the defensive end in an effort to create turnovers and his athleticism allows him to negate getting burned.
While Bynum is one of the top football players in the state, he said he would be interested in playing basketball at the next level if the opportunity presented itself.
“I would definitely be interested in playing basketball,” Bynum said. “The better offers are definitely coming in with football but I’m interested in playing basketball if I can too. Talked to Sioux Falls a little bit but most schools are talking to me for football. Duluth, Bemidji, Mankato and Southwest State have all offered. I haven’t visited any of them yet but I will be taking visits before the end of the summer.”