JACKSONVILLE, FLA. ? Jason Bennett, a 7-foot-3 center from Jacksonville, signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play for Kansas State and new coach Bob Huggins.
He chose the Wildcats over Auburn, becoming the first player to join Huggins at Kansas State since he took the job last month.
“Jason is going to be the centerpiece of what we build in the future here at Kansas State,” Huggins said in a news release. “I fully expect Jason to come in and contribute immediately to this program.”
Bennett orally committed to play at Cincinnati last year, but decided to follow Huggins to Manhattan, Kan. Huggins remained in contact this year while he was out of coaching and not subject to NCAA restrictions on when college coaches can contact recruits.
“I saw what they did with their big man as far as teaching him and helping him gain weight and get stronger,” Bennett said during a signing ceremony at his high school. “Coach Huggins has gotten a lot of players to the NBA. I think he can get another one there.”
Huggins turned the Bearcats into a national power during 16 sometimes-stormy years, but he was out of work after the school refused to extend his four-year contract rollover following his arrest and conviction for drunken driving in 2004.
Bennett averaged 12.5 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks last season and led Arlington Country Day to a second consecutive Class 2A state championship. He was the No. 5-rated high school center in the nation, according to Rivals.com., and a standout on the Miami Tropics AAU team.
“I know I have to improve my offense – my jump shot and my moves in the post,” Bennett said. “I feel comfortable with where my defense is, but my scoring has to get better.”
Bennett is the tallest player by two inches to play at Kansas State, giving the Wildcats a big, intimidating presence they have lacked for many years.
But he also was clear in calling Kansas State a stepping stone to the NBA.
“I’m probably going to leave after my second year,” he said. “It depends if I like college and it’s fun and I’m doing good. Then I might stay another two years and get my degree. But if I leave early, I made a pact with my dad that I would earn my degree in the offseason.”
A short tenure in Manhattan wouldn’t surprise Huggins, who has sent several big men – including Kenyon Martin of the Denver Nuggets and Danny Fortson of the Seattle Supersonics – to the NBA.
