After months of speculation, Findlay Prep forward Anthony Bennett has finally made a decision.
The 6-foot-7 Canadian forward chose UNLV over Oregon on Saturday and will join fellow Canadian and close friend Khem Birch in the Rebels’ frontcourt. He will sign his Letter of Intent Monday, Findlay assistant coach Todd Simon told SNY.tv.
Bennett previously cut Florida and then Kentucky from his list.
“I got along with the coaches and players,” Bennett told SNY.tv by text. “I’ve been here [in Las Vegas] for two years now so I feel I have a lot of people supporting me out here and also just the thought of playing with my boy Khem Birch in college is going to be crazy.”
Asked how good the Rebels can be going forward, Bennett said: “Real good. I feel with all the great players at UNLV right now and the players coming in we can go very far in the [NCAA] Tournament and hopefully win it all.”
“The Rebels are back running,” New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski told SNY.tv. “Dave Rice has done a tremendous job. If they have guards to go with those guys, they’re going to be back to the glory days. UNLV hasn’t had interior guys like that in years.
“[Bennett] is the quintessential power forward. He has a blacksmith’s body. And he’s fairly athletic.”
We Tweeted earlier this week that there was a 90 percent chance Bennett would pick UNLV over Oregon.
A McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American, Bennett averaged 16 points and 10.1 rebounds for a Findlay Prep team that went 32-1 and won the ESPN National High School Invitational.
Oregon remains in the mix for 6-9 shot-blocker Chris Obekpa of Our Savior New American, who is also considering Cincinnati, Providence, DePaul, St. John’s and UConn.
Photo: Robin Alam/ Icon SMI
