WKU Basketball: How Will Charles Bassey Fit In?
At 6’11 and 220 pounds, WKU will finally get the dominant big man they’ve needed to elevate their team to the next level. Let’s meet…
At 6’11 and 220 pounds, WKU will finally get the dominant big man they’ve needed to elevate their team to the next level. Let’s meet Louisville Aspire Academy’s Charles Bassey.
Charles Bassey, Aspire Basketball Academy Wizards, Center (BK)
Charles Bassey is a 6-10, 220-pound Power Forward from San Antonio, TX.247sports.com
Bassey is a consensus five-star recruit and is ranked in the Top 5 of all centers (and on several sites overall) in his class, even after his reclassification from 2019 to 2018. His commitment also helped launch WKU’s recruiting class into the Top 30 of most recruiting sites. He averaged 19.4 points per game along with 12.8 rebounds his junior year at Aspire Academy and also tallied 3.4 blocks. He shot 56% from the field and even shot 42% from deep which is pretty remarkable for a big man.
Stansbury continues to show his genius in recruiting by landing him before bigger schools could have a chance to sway them their direction. Bassey’s commitment to WKU was a surprise to many nationally but not to those who know him or Stansbury.
To me, the biggest surprise is how fast he got to WKU. He’s already on campus and is cleared to participate in team workouts and is already getting to know his teammates. That shows that he’s not only committed but ready to put in work.
Bassey will be taking the starting center spot left behind by Dwight Coleby and will give WKU the well-rounded big they’ve needed. While Coleby was a beast in the paint, Bassey can expand his game all the way to the three-point line while still being a dominant shot blocker and rim crusher.
Landing a player like Bassey is a dream-come-true for any program, especially a mid-major school, and with the talent that Stansbury has collected in this year’s recruiting class and the talent that returns next season, WKU has a very realistic chance of being a top 25 program next season. Bassey was the missing piece the Tops needed and will most certainly be an instant impact player. With the depth and talent WKU will have next season, look for next year’s team to be special.
Here’s some of Bassey’s highlights: