Names to Know: Bennie Slater (2021)
With no travel team season in the spring there are players that could be flying under the radar now that would have blown up this spring! One of those names to know could have been Bennie Slater from Springfield High…
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Continue ReadingWith no travel team season in the spring there are players that could be flying under the radar now that would have blown up this spring! One of those names to know could have been Bennie Slater from Springfield High School. We had heard some buzz about the 2021 6’5” forward so we watched two full game tapes of the small forward. Here is what we saw!
He has excellent size for the small forward position with long arms and a lanky build. Slater is very effective working in the high-post where he can be utilized in a number of areas. He is a quality mid-range shooter that connects from 15-18 feet at a high clip. Only hit one three in the two games we watched. Can also put it on the deck a couple dribbles for finishes at the cup.
In the paint he is extremely quick both on the glass and scoring. When he gets passes inside 10 feet he does a swift move for a score. Sound and efficient footwork on the block. Very effective getting on the offensive glass for second chance points. Explosive second jump getting off the floor.
The area of his game we might have come away the most impressed with was his passing. He threw bullet passes off a live dribble on multiple occasions. Hits cutters on the move. That combined with his ball handling the in the open floor allow him to bring some point-forward type tools to the table.
Defensively he presents versatility guarding threes and fours. Blocked several shots and has the athleticism to be able to switch in ball screens. Contests shots on the perimeter using his length to alter shots.
According to his high school coach Joby Crum he is still flying under the radar. Tulsa is showing quite a bit of interest. Others that have inquired in some fashion he says are Loyola Marymount, Purdue, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, SIU-Edwardsville, Bradley, and SIU-Carbondale. No offers at this point.
Sleeper that hasn’t really been seen on the grassroots circuit. We could definitely see him emerging as a D1 prospect over the next six months.