Ronald Steele

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Ron Steele


caption =
college = Alabama
conference = SEC
sport = Basketball
position = Guard
class = Junior
major = Secondary Education
career_start = 2004
nickname =
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 185
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1986|4|22
birth_place = Birmingham, Alabama
highschool = John Carroll Catholic, Birmingham, Alabama
former_school(s)=
career_highlights =
awards =
honors =
records =
championships =
championship_list =
tournaments =
tournament_list =

Ronald Steele (born April 22, 1986 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American college basketball player for the University of Alabama.cite web|title=Ronald Steele"|work=RollTide.com|url=http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=37471&SPID=3033&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=612321&Q_SEASON=2006|accessdate=2007-03-08]

High School

Steele attended John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham and led them to an undefeated 36-0 record in his junior season. He was named "Mr. Basketball" in the state of Alabama in each of his junior and senior seasons. He was the first junior ever to receive the title.

College

He raised his NBA draft profile during his sophomore year. He decided to return for his junior year, and will likely be a first round draft pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. In August 2006, Steele attended aMichael Jordan basketball camp. After giving him tips and "a lot of compliments," Jordan invited Steele to play in a two-on-two pickup game. [http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/5862402?FSO1&ATT=HMA]

Steele proved that returning to school for his junior season was the right choice. He led his team to a great start and a top 10 ranking. However, Steele was injured halfway through the season. Knee tendinitis and severe ankle sprains prevented him from competing at tpp form. Determined to help his team, Steele decided to play through the pain and continue leading his team.

Steele underwent arthroscopic surgery in the 2007 offseason to repair tendinitis in both knees. He was expected to be 100% when the 2007-08 regular season began. However, it was announced on September 17, 2007, that Steele would take a medical redshirt his senior season instead. Steele said, "I am someone who tries to approach whatever I do with my best effort, and I know my body. At this point in time, I don’t believe I will be 100 percent by the start of practice. This is something I’ve put a lot of thought and prayer into. I want to play my best and play an entire season and know I’ve done everything I can on the court to help Alabama win. The doctors have told me my future for playing is good, but right now the timing for me to heal and be back in shape like I need to be to play on the level we play isn’t on my side. My teammates are out on the floor conditioning every day, getting ready for the season, and I know how important that is, and right now I’m not able to run and do all the things that they are doing. So that’s why I’ve decided to do this. Right now my plan is still to graduate in December, start taking classes toward a second degree in January and then come back next fall and have a great senior season with my team."

Steele's younger brother, Andrew, signed to play for Alabama during the 2008-2009 season. He also graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School.

Awards

*2003 Alabama High School "Mr. Basketball"cite web|title="Ronald Steele"|work=RollTide.com|url=http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=37471&SPID=3033&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=612321&Q_SEASON=2006|accessdate=2007-03-08]
*2003 High School 6A Player of the Year
*2003 High School 6A Finals MVP
*2004 Alabama High School "Mr. Basketball"
*2004 High School 6A Player of the Year
*2006 AP All-SEC First Teamcite web|title="Tide's Steele selected to '06 All-SEC team"|last=Newberry|first=Paul|work=DecaturDaily.com|url=http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/060315/steele.shtml|date=2006-03-15|accessdate=2007-03-08]
*2007 Preseason AP All-American

References

External links

* [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22336 ESPN profile]
* [http://nbadraft.net/profiles/ronsteele.asp Draft profile]
* [http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/ronald_steele/ Quotations]
* [http://WWW.RONALDSTEELE.ORG Ronald Steele] Fan Site