Gonzaga wing Steele Venters is eagerly anticipating his return to the court after being sidelined by injury last season.
In Detroit, with 33 minutes remaining on the pregame clock at Little Caesars Arena, Steele Venters took a brief detour before joining his teammates in the locker room for some final words ahead of the Sweet 16 matchup against Purdue.
As he exited the court, Venters, holding a basketball, positioned himself in the left corner. With a slight crouch, he lifted the ball to eye level and smoothly released a three-point shot, witnessing it swish through the net as he exchanged high-fives with teammates heading off the court.
For Venters, it was a mix of emotions during the Sweet 16. It marked the second time in four years that he observed the excitement of March Madness without being able to partake in the tournament, an event his Gonzaga coach often describes as “the greatest sporting event in the world.”
“I’m eager to be out there more than anything,” Venters expressed from Gonzaga’s locker room following the Bulldogs’ season-ending loss to the Boilermakers. “It’s frustrating to sit on the sidelines when I know I can contribute to the game. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to see my teammates fight, and we had a strong season.”
Previously, Venters had been on the bench for Eastern Washington during their near-upset of Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2021. However, as a sparingly used player averaging just 9.5 minutes per game under coach Shantay Legans, he never had the chance to play in the game, which ended in a 93-84 loss.
Venters had envisioned making significant contributions for Gonzaga in this year’s tournament, but a preseason ACL injury suffered two days before the season opener against Yale delayed his debut for at least another year.
“It was a difficult situation,” Venters reflected on missing out on crucial NCAA Tournament games. “I really wanted to be a part of it.”
Since sustaining a season-ending knee injury during a practice last November, Venters has made significant progress toward returning to the court for Gonzaga in a meaningful capacity.
During a recent interview in Detroit, Venters was asked about his timeline for participating in full-contact, high-speed 5-on-5 games without any restrictions. With his rehabilitation supervisor nearby, Venters deferred the question to head athletic trainer Josh Therrien.
“When can I expect to play 5-on-5?” Venters inquired.
“By the end of summer,” Therrien replied.
Therrien further elaborated in a separate discussion with The Spokesman-Review, indicating that Venters would gradually increase his activity level in the upcoming weeks, starting with straightforward running and treadmill exercises before cautiously incorporating lateral movements and changes of direction.
“We’ll begin with ball screen work and breakdowns,” Therrien outlined. “This summer will be slightly different with coach Few’s absence due to USA commitments. But Venters is progressing well and is poised to be a significant contributor next year.”
In recent months, Venters’ routine has primarily consisted of stationary shooting, with recent additions of dribble shooting drills. On days when Gonzaga isn’t traveling, Venters aims to complete anywhere from 300 to 400 shots at the Volkar Athletic Complex.
“He’s been exceptional; he’s handled this situation with professionalism,” Therrien remarked. “As an older player, he’s embraced his role within the team. Despite being new, he’s remained engaged. Early on, he and I discussed making this period almost like a coaching experience for him. He’s been diligent in learning offensive schemes and staying mentally sharp. Overall, he’s been outstanding.”
