Growing up, most families try to find something that the entire family can rally around. For some families, this is college sports, for others it is adventuring outdoors, but for the Bennett family, it is basketball.

Brad Bennett ‘21 has been playing basketball since second grade and has grown to love the sport. A major factor in Bennett’s love for the game is his father, Chris Bennett, who played basketball in high school and passed his love of the sport down to his son.

“Growing up, we did workouts in the driveway with his sister, Ella. He has always had a great work ethic because he wants to play,” Chris said.

By the time Brad was nine, he was playing with some of the best players in Nebraska. During this time, Chris was often the coach of these teams.

“Training with my dad growing up helped my game get better,” Brad said. “He knows a lot about the game and has really helped me develop my skills.”

During their middle school years, teammate Airan Lopez ‘21 noticed the bond basketball formed between father and son.

“You can just tell how much those two love basketball and how that sport really helps bring them together,” Lopez said.

During the summer before Brad’s freshman year, the family had a tough decision to make about where he was going to high school. The obvious choice for them was Creighton Prep because that was where Chris went, but, after further investigation, Brad decided to attend Mount Michael.

“We all were talking and I heard about Coach Spooner. We came up to Mount Michael and felt like it was a good spot for Brad,” Chris said.

So far, both Brad and his father agree that Mount Michael has been a great choice. Brad mentions how he loves playing primarily with his junior classmates.

“It has been a great experience playing here at Mount Michael,” Brad said. “Our team is really close because so many of us are in the same grade and take the same classes.”

Brad and his dad are not the only Bennetts that love basketball. Brad’s sister, Ella Bennett, was a starting point guard for the Duchesne Cardinals.

“Ella was actually a better shooter than Brad growing up,” Chris said. “It’s been great watching them grow up and love the sport.”

In the end, Brad is hoping that the constant training with his family and their love of basketball will be able to lead the Mount Michael Basketball program to a height they have not seen in almost 30 years.

“We hope all the hard work we put in will help us reach our goal: a state championship,” he said.