Every year, college coaches begin searching for uncovered recruits that might shed some value as high-level ballplayers at the next level. Attending Oldsmar Christian School in Florida, a guy that fits the mold and is about to see his stock explode is Dontay Bassett. The 6-foot-8 forward has the body, length, athleticism, and the character traits that anyone would want out of a big man and because of it, is beginning to see further offers come in and a variety of interest funnel in with it.

A native of Oakland, California, Bassett has traveled back from the west coast to Jackson, Mississippi, where his siblings and mother live, during his adolescent years. Now in Florida for his final year of high school play, the athletic and productive big man seems set to become a name throughout the nation. Due to his background, Bassett is capable of being recruited by programs from across the nation, of which it seems that things are trending at the current moment.

Running with the Oakland Rebels bunch this past summer, the big man wasn’t able to give it a full go in July after going to down with a bone bruise and torn cartilage. Now fully healthy, Bassett was going full steam ahead during my viewing of him on Friday at his open gym. The intriguing big man is a great rim-runner on the break as he is fluid in getting up and down the floor, has great hands and touch around the basket, and has continued to implement more of a consistent mid-range jumper from off the face-up.

Things seem to just be getting started with the Oldsmar Christian big man’s recruitment. His first two official visits are set the next two weekends for Oregon State and Colorado, yet an SEC program is now getting involved. Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson was in this past Friday and offered the big man right on the spot. Just yesterday, Boston College and Kansas State sent assistant coaches to check out the mobile big man and also dished out an offer to the senior. A potential visit could take place to the Fayetteville campus in the beginning of October and when asked as to who was coming at Bassett the hardest, the big man noted, “Oregon State, Arkansas, Nevada, Colorado, and Florida.”

Fully qualified for college next year, Bassett seems to have a great feel for what he wants in a college. “Academics are big but so is a strength and conditioning program. I also want a family oriented coaching staff and a nice fit that feels like home.”

With a plethora of college coaches that are due to come through the doors of the Oldsmar Christian School gym in the coming days and weeks, and as more and more big men pop off the board, Dontay Bassett seems ready to enter the mix as a viable, high-major big man recruit within his 2016 class.