Bennett to try NBA

Martellus Bennett, the five-star tight end from Alief (Texas) Taylor, has never denied that he's had hoop dreams throughout his entire life. But after he signed a national letter of intent with Texas A&M for football in February, most people assumed those dreams died. That was until Bennett decided to test the NBA draft waters with a decision on Monday.

"Martellus has decided to declare for the NBA," Michael Bennett Sr., Martellus' father said. "He's not signing with an agent, so he can come back and play in college if he chooses to. We're just now trying to put some feelers out there."

Bennett said his son hopes to get an opportunity to work out this spring at a few NBA pre-draft workouts. After that he'll know better if he's going to end up in the NBA or come back to college.

"We're going to try to work out at the camp in Chicago," his father said. "We might try to go work out a few other places. If he does well there, then we'll come back and look at things. After that we're going to figure out what we're going to do."

Bennett said he and his son have had a discussion with the A&M coaching staff about the decision to declare for the NBA.

"I told the coaches exactly what I told you," Bennett said. "We're going to test the waters and see what all the scouts say and where they would project him."

Ranked as the nation's No. 1 tight end prospect and the top player in the state of Texas in the class of 2005, Bennett was a five-star football player. Some ranked him as high as the No. 3 basketball prospect in the state of Texas. He could not be reached this morning for comment on the declaration to play in the NBA.

Rivals.com national basketball recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer watched Bennett play several times.

"I am a little surprised," Meyer said. "But if (Bennett) focuses on basketball, he has the potential to be a pro."

Bennett's ability on the basketball court has never been in doubt.

"He certainly has the body and the athletic ability to play in the NBA," Meyer said. "He is very skilled as a player.

"He's the type of guy that can finish the fast break and is good around the basket and is good at making plays."

Bennett never shied away from the talk about playing both sports in college, as Texas A&M, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma and Texas all recruited him to participate in both sports. But talk about the NBA seemed to be silenced when he signed with the Aggies.

"I've always wanted to play in the NBA," Bennett said in one of his initial interviews with Rivals.com. "It's been a big dream of mine. I love football and everything that comes with it, but I've always wanted to give basketball a shot."

Now it's time to wait and see if that shot makes his hoop dream come true.