Ronald Steele

Originally an early entry candidate for the 2008 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration. Sat out the 2007-08 season as a medical redshirt after undergoing three knee surgeries following the 2006-07 season. Left Alabama midway through the 2008-09 season due to injury (plantar fasciitis).

Career Highlights:

One of only two players in school history to have recorded over 1,000 points and 400 assists. A 2006 AP All America Honorable Mention. All-SEC Team member in 2005 and 2006. An All-SEC Freshman Team selection in 2005.

Senior (2008-09):

Appeared in 15 games for the Crimson Tide, averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Scored a season-high 25 points against Mercer. Tallied 23 points and 10 assists against Georgia Tech. ad 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Texas A&M.

Junior (2006-07):

A Preseason AP All America selection. A Bob Cousy Award Finalist. A Naismith Award Candidate. Averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 assists. Shot .875 from the foul line. Tallied a season high 20 points against Middle Tennessee State. Dished out a season high nine assists against Coppin State.

Sophomore (2005-06):

An AP All America Honorable Mention honoree following his sophomore campaign. Selected by the coaches to the All-SEC First Team. Scored 20 or more points in six SEC games and ranked eighth in scoring in the league (15.9 ppg in SEC tilts). Shot .892 from the foul line. Logged a league-best 40.3 minutes in SEC games and 38.4 mpg overall.

Freshman (2004-05):

An AP All-SEC Third Team selection and an SEC Coaches All-Freshman Team selection. Set a school record for assists with 18 (with no turnovers) against East Tennessee State. Shot .813 from the foul line. Led the SEC in assists (5.0).

Strengths: A pass-first point guard with excellent court awareness. A good shooter from distance. An excellent free throw shooter.

Personal: The son of Ronald Steele, Sr. and Linda Steele. He has a degree in financial planning, which he earned nearly two years ago. Since then, he has dabbled in graduate course work, developing a passion for kinesiology, fitness and rehabilitative therapy. A two-time Mr. Basketball winner in the state of Alabama while at John Carroll Catholic High School.