Class of 2019's No. 1 player Charles Bassey talks return to action
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- For a stretch, class of 2019's top ranked player Charles Bassey didn't even know if he would get to play during his sophomore season.
During November, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) ruled the 6-foot-10 power forward at San Antonio (Texas) St. Anthony ineligible to play in their association. An appeal was made and rejected and as a result, St. Anthony chose to leave TAPPS and join the Texas Christian Athletic League (TCAL) so that Bassey and a handful of teammates who had also been ruled ineligble could be cleared to play and not have to transfer.
The enormity of a move like that wasn't lost on Bassey.
"When I heard that I wasn't going to be able to play this year, I was a little bit sad," said Bassey. "But, this, this was good. It was nice to be with my team again.
"When I was not playing, I was still going to school because my education is important in my life and I was still practicing with my teammates. When I wasn't playing people were like, 'Are you going to leave the school?' But, I'd made up my mind I was going to finish this out because I wanted to stay."
Bassey -- who came to the United States from Nigeria at the beginning of his freshman season -- said that it was important to him to remain in San Antonio because his father sent him there to be with friends that the family trusted. He also felt he owed it to the people around him who stuck up for him and fought for him.
Now back on the floor, Bassey said that he feels relaxed and he's focused on being the best player he can be and proving that he belongs as the top player in the sophomore class.
Known for his ability to play in the low or high post, rebounding and overall athleticism, Bassey feels like he's an all-around player who can be used in many spots.
"I play at the power forward," said Bassey. "Sometimes I play as a guard because I can handle the ball. Right now, my team isn't real big so I play inside."
Offers have come from Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M, Houston, Oklahoma, Western Kentucky, Washington, TCU, Memphis and many others. He's taken several unofficial visits, but for now says it's early in the process and that a college decision isn't coming anytime soon.
"I went to University of Houston, Western Kentucky, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU and Memphis," said Bassey. "I've been to a lot of schools. It's still early for all of that."