Southern Cal Interested in Steele

The offer list for rising senior Jalen Steele includes numerous mid-major schools, but this summer he is starting to receive interest from Major Division 1 schools. The Southern Cal Trojans and their new coach, former UT coach Kevin O'Neill, are the latest school to show interest in the Fulton Basketball Standout.

Fulton coach Jody Wright said he received a call from O'Neill on Monday about Steele and received another Tuesday seeking Steele's transcript.

Steele has a lengthy list of offers, which includes Dayton, Tulane and Marshall. Now major Division I programs are showing their interests.

Marquette and Xavier have come on hot during the July evaluation period.

And now USC.

"I think (Steele) has himself on the national radar now," said Wright.

O'Neill has a connection to Wright, who used to work basketball camps at Tennessee with O'Neill and assistants Billy Schmidt (now head assistant at Dayton) and Lawrence Frank (coach of the New Jersey Nets). So, he didn't give Wright a fluffy business pitch.

"He is in a difficult situation (taking over for Tim Floyd at USC). He said they're probably facing probation and losing some scholarships," said Wright. "But he told me needs a shooter who can defend well. Word had it, from another buddy of his (in Knoxville), that Steele was the real deal."

Tennessee has not offered Steele.

"Recruiting is need-based, and it's a business," said Wright. "If UT is full of guards, it doesn't make sense to recruit him and doesn't make sense for him to go there.

"Jalen wants to go somewhere where he can play, and, at the same time, he wants to play at the highest level he can."

Steele was the PrepXtra boys' player of the year this past season, as he scored 21.3 points per game and led the Falcons to their second Class AA state title in a row.

He is showcasing his game this week in Indianapolis, Ind., at the Hoosier Shootout with the Tennessee Travelers.

"He knew coming in that this summer was big for him," said Wright. "He's concentrated on his body. I think he surprised some people over at the Rocky Top League this summer. Not just with his shot, but also with his jumping ability. He had a couple of really nice slams. Forceful. Over people. Not breakaways.

"He's a good, solid 190 (pounds). He knew July was huge for him. His stock is really rising."