×

Warren hoopster Sallee signs to Shawnee State

Warren’s Brayden Sallee, seen here with the ball in a game against New Lexington, signed to attend Shawnee State University on Tuesday, where he will major in business management and play basketball. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

VINCENT — Warren High School’s Brayden Sallee made it official on Tuesday that he will continue his basketball career as a student-athlete for 2021 NAIA Division I national champion Shawnee State University and head coach DeLano Thomas.

Sallee, a two-time first team all-East Central Ohio League honoree who was the District 13 Player of the Year and a third team Division II all-Ohio selection as a senior, said his final choice came down to the Bears and Hiram College.

“That’s tough. It’s pretty close,” quipped Sallee when asked if he was more pumped to sign or not have classes to worry about anymore. “It’s kind of sad it’s the last day of school. At the same time, I’m glad it’s over.”

Sporting a cumulative 3.5 GPA, Sallee said he plans to major in business management but hasn’t decided upon any sort of future career at this point.

“They graduated a couple of seniors last year. They are a really strong program,” added Sallee, who averaged 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot better than 47% from the floor as a senior.

“I’m going to start at the bottom of the barrel, for sure, and I’ll have to work for everything I get. I’m definitely going to work to the best of my ability. I’m just going to see where it takes me. Truly excited to be able to play at the next level.”

Along with being a three-year starter for the Warriors of head coach Blane Maddox, Sallee also played football during his junior year and earned three letters in soccer.

Classmates Brayden Hurley and Caleb Davis, who is going to SSU for golf, actually gave Sallee a push to consider the Bears.

“They gave me the idea of going down there. I watched a game and it got me started there. I’m very glad and thankful they did,” added the Warrior. “The first time I went down to watch a game I really liked the campus.

“It’s a decent size school and it’s an all enclosed campus and it’s all right there. I think it’s really pretty there. I like everything from the campus itself to the buildings for the classes and the dorms.”

After Sallee reached out to coach Thomas, one thing led to another.

“He was friendly. I think he liked me from the beginning and he treated me like part of the family from the beginning,” Sallee said of Thomas.

“That was one of the last schools I looked at. That team and the coaches made it feel like it was the first and only one I’d looked at.”

Standing right at 6-foot-4, Sallee isn’t going to be able to use his size as an advantage like he did in high school.

“That’s going to be a challenge for me, too,” Sallee admitted. “I played as a big, forward, in high school and I’m going to have to transition into being a guard or a small forward.

“A two or mainly a three. That’s something I will have to work on with my skills. I don’t have that size anymore at the college level. I hope not, but I’m probably done growing.”

One thing never lacking in Sallee’s game has been his work ethic, which is something he realizes is of the utmost importance.

“It’s a whole different game from the high school game,” he said. “The speed, for sure, is something I’m going to have to get in a lot better shape.

“I definitely feel small over there, literally and figuratively, because those guys are not only tall, strong and big, but athletic and good at basketball.”

Sallee, who said he feels confident about the transition to being a student-athlete in college, is excited for the opportunity in front of him.

“I’m looking forward to it, trying new things and see what’s out there in the world,” Sallee stated. “I’m ready to go and see and explore some of it. I hope I left a positive impact on the kids here and the community here in a good way.

“I hope people remember me in a good way outside of basketball. That’s something I put a lot of work into. I’m thankful for my family, all my teammates through the years and coaches and this community that’s been behind me the whole time all the way through.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today