Bennett discusses top five
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- There's no question that Anthony Bennett would much rather have been on the floor for Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep's trouncing of Chicago (Ill.) Simeon.
Unfortunately, the 6-foot-7 senior forward and five-star prospect has been hampered by a recurring hamstring injury and had to sit out the festivities at the Hoophall Classic.
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That didn't mean Bennett couldn't contribute in other ways during the nationally televised victory.
"I just wanted to come out and support the team any way that I can," Bennett told Rivals.com. "Like today I was going crazy jumping up and down and screaming so much I almost lost my voice."
Of course, the burning question with regards to the powerful inside-out performer is where he ends up going to school. Bennett recently cut his list down to a final five of Florida, Kentucky, UNLV, Washington and Oregon.
The nation's seventh ranked prospect in the class of 2012 Rivals150 took some time to discuss what he likes about each situation.
Florida- "The coaching staff is really cool. My mom likes them a lot and they say that they will develop me into a three/four type player. Also, if Patric Young doesn't go pro I would be able to practice every day against one of the best big men in the country."
Kentucky- "The coaching staff there is real cool too. They produce a lot of players and they bring in a lot of talented freshman every year and they've shoen that they will let them play their game."
UNLV- "They've been recruiting me for a while but they had one staff last year and now the new one. The old staff the way they played was kind of slow. This new coaching staff has changed the tempo to get up and down and that really interests me."
Washington- "I just want to learn more about the school itself. A lot of the guys on the team here have said good things about them from when they were recruiting them. They are a good program and play in a good conference like the Pac 12."
Oregon-"The coaching staff has gotten really close to my mom. I feel like everything that they are presenting to me about their program has been true. Of course, D.A. (signee Dominic ArtisClick Here to view this Link.) is trying to get in my ear."
With his final five set, Bennett still doesn't seem to be in any kind of rush to make his choice or set up official visits. He's hoping to be ready to go for this weekend's huge matchup with Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman and the nation's top player Shabazz Muhammad.
Until he sets his visits, though, Bennett is watching and making sure what he's being told matches up with what he's seeing on the floor.
"Right now I'm watching all of these games," said Bennett. "I'm seeing how the teams and coaches are reacting in tight situations and I'm seeing if the coaches are letting guys play through some mistakes."