The past year has provided quite the journey for Mississippi State sophomore Jalen Steele. His first two seasons as an MSU basketball player have included starting as a freshman, knocking down big-time shots when the Bulldogs need them the most, excruciating injury rehab and a year-long climb in hopes of returning to his old self.
Steele, a two-guard from Knoxville, Tenn., came to MSU rated as a three-star prospect according to rivals.com. He saw immediate playing time for the Bulldogs, scoring his first collegiate points against Tennessee Tech in the 2010-2011 season opener. Steele played in 27 games during his first year on campus and quickly became known as one of the best spot-up shooters on the MSU team. His freshman success would come to a halt, though, on Feb. 23 as MSU hosted the LSU Tigers just weeks before the 2011 SEC tournament. During the game, Steele landed awkwardly on his left knee and tore both his ACL and meniscus. The injury would cost Steele the remainder of his freshman season, as well as half a year of rehabilitation to recover fully from the ailment, something Steele said was one of the most trying times of his entire life.
“Doing the exercises and stuff, I didn’t think I could do it,” Steele admitted. “But then I just pushed myself and told myself I had to do this to get back on the court.”
Throughout Steele’s rehabilitation process, senior point guard Dee Bost said he often noted the dedication and commitment Steele used to ensure his return to the court.
“He’s been working hard since his injury,” Bost said. “It kind of hurt him at first, but once he found out he was ahead of schedule with the injury, he started working even harder.”
The work paid off as the guard was able to return to game action earlier than doctors expected. His return began as the Bulldogs traveled overseas to play in a number of exhibition games, and while Steele said he was ecstatic to return to playing with his teammates, he admitted he was consistently frustrated with his performance while overseas.
“At times, I would be trying to drive but couldn’t get that first step like I can now,” Steele said. “It was frustrating, but in the end it helped me out.”
Steele continued to improve his conditioning and found himself in game-shape at the beginning of the current basketball season. As the 2011-2012 regular season hits the home stretch, the sophomore has played in all 20 MSU games, averaging 7.3 points a game and ranks second on the team in three-point efficiency at 37 percent.
Whether he starts or plays the sixth-man role for the Bulldogs, MSU head coach Rick Stansbury said Steele’s role to the team will remain unique.
“We’ve always said Jalen is the one guy that does something different on this basketball team,” Stansbury said. “He’s the guy, if you asked me what his role is, it’s to make shots.”
Steele’s best performance this season came on the road game against Vanderbilt last Saturday. Coming out of halftime, the guard connected on several crucial three-pointers and was a focal point in State’s surprising comeback win. Steele ended the game with a season-high 15 points and tied a career best with five three-pointers made.
“I was feeling it,” Steele said. “Truthfully, every time I shot it I felt like I was blacking out. It felt like every time I shot it, it was going to go in, so I felt very confident.”
Although some athletes never return to old form after suffering injuries similar to those Steele suffered, the sophomore said he is more confident now than he prior to his knee injury last season.
“It actually feels like the game is easier this year,” Steele said. “The injury set me back, but now I can see the floor more and see what I can do and what I can’t do.”
Steele’s stats have improved in nearly every category from his first season in maroon and white, but he admits there is still room for improvement before he feels fully recovered from the injury.
“I think I’m almost there, about 95 percent,” Steele said. “It’s going to really hit me come SEC tournament time. I think I’m really going to be 100 percent then.”