2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster
Biography
Career
One of the great shooters in Eastern history, Venters came to Cheney as a walk-on and left as Big Sky MVP. After redshirting in 2019-20, Venters played 17 games in the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season then became a Second-Team All-Big Sky performer in his third season after averaging 16.7 points per game on .456 shooting, including .434 from 3-point range. Despite being the focal point of defenses in 2022-23, Venters continued to score, averaging 15.3 points on .457 shooting (.371 3PT), including 8 games with 20+. He was the 24th player in program history to score 1,000 points as an Eagle. The Eagles won a conference and program record 18 games in a row (starting Big Sky play 16-0) to earn the regular season title before earning the second postseason win in program history, defeating Washington State in Pullman in the first round of the NIT. Venters put up 27 in that win over Wazzu, including a dagger 3 with just second remaining to seal it. The Ellensburg native transferred to Gonzaga University following 2022-23 season.
2022-23 (Redshirt Junior)
- Big Sky MVP.
- Unanimous First Team All-Big Sky.
- NABC All-District Second Team (District 6).
- Big Sky All-Academic Team.
- Averaged 15.3 points per game on .457 shooting from the field (.371 from 3-point range).
- Became the 24th player in program history to score 1,000 points as an Eagle with a 3 at Idaho on Feb. 11.
- Scored 20+ points 8 times, including 27 in a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) first round win over Washington State in Pullman (81-74). Hit the clinching 3-pointer with 3Â seconds left.
- Ranked 10th in the conference in scoring, 6th in field goals made, 3rd in 3-pointers made and 9th in FG%. Led the Eagles in scoring, field goal attempts, 3-point attempts, free throw percentage (min. 20 attempts) and steals.
2021-22 (Redshirt Sophomore)
- Second Team All-Big Sky.
- Played in and started 33 games for the Eagles.
- Averaged 16.7 points per game to lead the team.
- Shot 43.7%Â from three-point range which ranked 6th nationally at the end of the season.
- Made 86 of his 198 attempts, which ranks 8th all-time in single-season history at EWU, and the 198 attempts is 10th.
- Made at least two triples in 26 games including six against Southern Utah on Dec. 2 and five on five other occasions.
- Scored 550 total points, scoring in double figures 26 times.
- Scored over 20 points in 11 games including a career-high 29 against Southern Utah (Dec. 2) and 27 against Walla Walla.
- Scored over 20 points in three-straight games from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.
- Finished the season ranked 67th nationally in free throw percentage (84.7%), making 94 of his 111 attempts.
- From the field, he shot 45.6% (185-406).
- Averaged 3.9 rebounds per game with 130 total, and added 73 assists for an average of 2.2 per game.
Â
2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman — COVID)
- Selected to the Winter Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team.
- Played in 17 games off the bench in his debut season as an Eagle, averaging 9.6 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists.
- Had season highs of 10 points and eight rebounds at Idaho (2/4/21), making 4-of-7 shots from the floor.
- Had three assists against Southern Utah (1/14/21) and a pair of blocked shots against Montana (2/18/21).
- Scored six points in his Eagle debut versus Oregon (12/7/20).
- Walk-on status.
Â
2019-20 (Freshman)
- Redshirted as a walk-on.
Â
High School
- Graduated from Ellensburg HS in 2019.
- Averaged 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game as a senior, including a career-high of 37 points and four other games with at least 30 points.
- Was first team Associated Press 2A All-State selection as a junior when he averaged 26 points per game, and averaged 13 as a sophomore.
- Scored over 1,200 points in his career.
- Helped Ellensburg to a 16-6 record in his senior season and the school’s first Central Washington Athletic Conference title in more than 15 years.
- The Bulldogs beat Selah 79-78 to end the regular season and clinch the title with a 16-2 record, with Steele scoring 32 points in that game.
- It ended Selah’s streak of three-straight titles as Steele earned first team All-CWAC honors for the second-straight season.
- Off the court, he accumulated a 3.26 GPA in high school and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Â
Personal
- Born 5/16/01.
- Steele’s community service endeavors included:
- Coaching a sixth grade AAU team in Ellensburg.
- Volunteering for the Ellensburg Rodeo garbage pick-up.
- Supporting a cancer awareness fundraising drive.
- His parents are Erin and Wade Steele, and he has a sister, Haley.
Statistics
Season Statistics
No statistics available for this season.
There are no statistics available for this player.
Historical Player Information
-
2019-20Freshman
Guard/Forward
6'7"
175 lbs
-
2020-21Redshirt Freshman
Guard/Forward
6'7"
175 lbs
-
2021-22Redshirt Sophomore
Guard/Forward
6'7"
175 lbs
-
2022-23Redshirt Junior
Guard
6'7"
195 lbs
