Shout Out Kalin Bennett Who Became The First Person With Autism To Get A Division I Basketball Scholarship

[Cleveland.com] - Bennett is a 6-10, 300-pound basketball recruit from Little Rock, Arkansas, and he has autism. Once labeled a child who might never speak or walk, he is readying himself to break new ground. Earlier this month, Bennett became the first student-athlete with autism to sign a national letter of intent to play a team sport at the NCAA Division I level, according to the NCAA. He’ll enroll at Kent State next summer.

“I want to make an impact not just on the court, but with kids that are struggling with the same things I am,’’?Bennett said. “I want to use this platform to inspire other kids with autism and non-autism. I want to let them know, hey, if I can do this, you can do it, too. A lot of times they feel alone and by themselves, and I felt that same way growing up.’’ 

His athleticism and engaging personality belie his early struggles. Bennett did not sit up until he was 2. He did not walk until he was 4. He did not talk until he was 7 and did not hold a conversation until he was 8. Then Bennett’s real journey began.

Not a whole lot to say here besides how awesome this is. Kalin Bennett is a 6’10” basketball recruit from Arkansas who is signing with Kent State. But, it’s more than that. The fact that he has autism and was able to battle through that to be one of the small percentage of basketball players to receive a Division I scholarship is beyond an incredible story to begin with.

Also shout out to Kent State for being one of the best schools in the country when it comes to autism awareness. It’s one of those things that we don’t talk about a whole lot of, but there are a ton of people that are autistic in the world. So logically it makes sense, as Bennett says, to attend Kent State to play hoops.

I’ll be honest. I’m cheering for this kid when he joins Kent State next year. I hope he ends up tearing it up and winning MAC Rookie of the Year. Like I said in the beginning, not much to say here. Just an awesome story all around and the full interview with him is worth reading. He’s a real open person that talks pretty freely about overcoming autism to be a Division I player.