Baylee Steele’s basketball career that has taken him to four states and four schools, including Duquesne, will journey overseas next season after signing a professional contract with PGE Spojnia Stargard of the Polish Basketball League.
In his lone season at Duquesne in 2019-20, the 6-foot-11 Steele averaged 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 21.4 minutes while helping the Dukes finish 21-9. He recorded 33 3-pointers, fourth on the team, after entering Duquesne with only two in three seasons.
Steele began his career in his home state of Iowa at Des Moines Area Community College before playing 98 games (58 starts) at Eastern Michigan, Utah Valley and Duquesne.
He finished his college career with 708 points and 527 rebounds, shooting 51.6% from the field and 73.2% from the foul line.
“I’m blessed to be able to continue to do what I love,” Steele said in a statement. “I’m ready for this next step in my basketball career and am excited to get to work.”
Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot paid Steele the ultimate compliment.
“Baylee is the hardest-working player I’ve ever been around,” he said. “He was a pleasure to coach. I think Baylee’s work ethic and talent will transition well to the professional level. I look for him to have a very productive career.”
Steele joins Jordan Robinson as the two players coached by Dambrot at Duquesne to sign a professional contract. Robinson, who played for the Dukes from 2015-18, competed last season in Portugal.
