Steve Settle III dribbling down the court in a game in the 2021-2022 season. (Photo courtesy of Howard University Athletics) 

The Miami Heat signed Steve Settle III to an Exhibit-10 contract, a one-year, non-guaranteed deal at the NBA minimum salary that offers a training camp and Summer League opportunity. For Settle, it was more than a roster move; it marked the next chapter in his basketball career.

During his time at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, Settle underwent a transformation growing from a 5-foot-8 guard into a nearly 6-foot-11 forward. In an article from The Temple News, he said the growth unlocked new opportunities. 

“I started out as a guard before a growth spurt in my junior year of high school prompted me to change positions,” he said. 

This change not only altered his role on the court but also set the stage for his unique blend of perimeter instincts and frontcourt mobility, which Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney would later refine at Howard.

In 2019, when Settle arrived on the courts of Howard University, Blakeney saw his talent and potential for growth.

“We redshirted him and let him play point guard because he had point guard skills,” said Blakeney. “His development was explosive and unique.”

Settle’s redshirt season as a freshman, a year when a player practices with the team but does not compete in official games to preserve a season of eligibility, helped him hone on-court decision-making and ball-handling skills rarely developed in a forward. 

Over his three seasons in Washington, D.C., those skills were on full display, culminating in a 22–13 season, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season and tournament titles in 2022–23, and an NCAA Tournament berth; Howard’s first since 1992.

“He never missed a practice. That tells you who he is. He worked every day,” Blakeney said.

Settle averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, earning All-MEAC Second Team Honors. During Howard’s off-season trip overseas, Settle scored 17 points in a Spanish league game.

From Howard, Settle’s development flourished under Coach Blakeney, who refined his footwork, passing, and defensive versatility skills that would blossom into a professional career. After four seasons with the Bison, he transferred to Temple University in 2023, where that foundation propelled him into the national spotlight. Settle played one season with the Owls before entering the 2024 NBA Draft.

“If you watch me play, my frame is obviously visibly thin, but I don’t get pushed around. You can be slim and still be strong and understand how to use what you have,” Settle said in The Temple News article.

Settle also described the mix of uncertainty and anticipation before the NBA Draft in the article. 

“I don’t know what to expect. I think that’s kind of the exciting part; your life can change at any phone call,” he said. “I know I’ve done my part. The real work starts for me,” signaling his readiness for the next chapter with the NBA.

While at Howard, Coach  Blakeney said Settle “could play multiple positions, blending point-guard footwork with perimeter passing and defensive mobility.” At Temple University he contributed across the stat sheet. In the 2024–25 season, Settle led the Owls with 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, while averaging 12.6 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals. He shot 47.8 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three-point range, according to ESPN.

His impact extended beyond the stat line: he posted four double-doubles, reached double figures in 24 games, and delivered 12 straight scoring outputs of 11 or more to close his college career.

If waived, players who spend at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate can earn a bonus of up to $77,000 while the team retains their rights. Settle will attend Heat training camp, play in the NBA Summer League, and if waived, join the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, for at least 60 days to trigger a bonus pathway.

From his start as a Howard Bison redshirt, Blakeney said Settle’s work ethic and drive helped pave his way to the national league. “He’s always been a worker… now he’s getting his chance.”

Copy edited by Daryl Thomas Jr.