Ronald Steele

High school

Ronald Steele was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He 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

Steele raised his NBA draft profile during his sophomore year, 2005-06. In August 2006, Steele attended a Michael Jordan basketball camp. After giving him tips and "a lot of compliments," Jordan invited Steele to play in a two-on-two pickup game.

In his junior season, Steele 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 top 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, Alabama 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 declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft but did not hire an agent, leaving the possibility open of returning to college. After reiterating he would leave his options open, he decided to return for his senior year.

He returned briefly for the 2008-09 season. Ten days after his final game, on January 21, 2009, Steele, who had been suffering from plantar fasciitis, announced that he would forgo the rest of the 2008-09 season, thus effectively ending his college career. In his final season he averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game in 15 games. He made a dismal 36.6% of his field goal attempts, but was making (at that time) a team-leading 38% three-pointers.

Pro career

Prior to 2009-10 season Steele has signed for Israeli club Bnei Hasharon.After a season in which he averaged 9.8 points in 22.5 minutes per game. Steele had his contract extended with the club for another season. In July 2011 he signed with Tofaş Bursa for one season.

Personal life

Ronald is married to Artesha Steele. Steele's younger brother, Andrew, who also graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School, signed to play for Alabama during the 2008–09 season. His father, Ronald Sr., graduated as a football player from Southern University, and played pro football with the Birmingham Vulcans.

Awards