Latest news with #Venters
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steele Venters: The Ultimate Gonzaga X-Factor Next Season
After two devastating setbacks, Steele Venters is poised to become the most compelling wild card on Gonzaga's roster heading into the 2025-2026 college basketball season. Venters hasn't appeared in a live college game since March 19, 2023, an eternity in a sport where rhythm and confidence mean everything. The 6-foot-7 wing missed the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, then worked tirelessly to return for 2024-25, only to suffer another cruel blow: a torn Achilles tendon. For most players, back-to-back season-ending injuries would be career-altering, if not career-ending. But for Venters, they've become fuel. Advertisement Before these injuries, Venters was one of the most lethal perimeter threats in the country. At Eastern Washington, he averaged over 16 points per game, knocking down nearly 44% of his three-point attempts. His silky shooting stroke and high basketball IQ earned him Big Sky Player of the Year honors and put him on the national radar as a mid-major star ready to make the leap. As he finally eyes a return to the court, Gonzaga won't ask him to carry the load. Mark Few and the coaching staff are well-stocked with capable scorers and versatile starters. The quartet of Jalen Warley, Adam Miller, Emmanuel Innocenti, and Braden Huff offers the talent and positional flexibility to more than likely fill the 2, 3, and 4 positions, in some combination, in Gonzaga's starting lineup. Gonzaga doesn't need Venters to be a starter. But what Gonzaga does need is a spark, a veteran presence who can come off the bench, stretch the floor, and change the dynamic of a game in spurts. If Venters can give the Bulldogs just 15-plus quality minutes per night and recapture even a portion of his peak form, he could swing the balance of power in marquee matchups and deep tournament runs. Advertisement Venters' value isn't limited to his offensive output. His size and length allow him to switch defensively and contest shots on the perimeter, making him a valuable piece in the Zags' rotational schemes. His maturity and perseverance, forged through two grueling rehabs, give Gonzaga yet another locker room leader. No, Gonzaga isn't banking on Venters to be a star this season, but that's precisely what makes him such an X-factor. He doesn't need to average double figures or start games. He needs to be healthy enough to get hot on the right night, hit a couple of timely threes, and provide a veteran presence when the stakes are highest. For a program with championship ambitions, unexpected contributions often make the difference in March. And if Steele Venters is back, really back, then Gonzaga might have the missing piece that puts them over the top. Related: Win the Day: The Fitting Mantra of Gonzaga's Next Point Guard Braeden Smith
Sky News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Ex-Fortnum chief Venters fashions role with designer Paul Smith
Ewan Venters, the former Fortnum & Mason chief, is joining the board of Paul Smith Ltd, the design company best-known for its striped fashion garments. Sky News understands that Mr Venters, who recently stepped down as the boss of global contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth, has agreed to become a non-executive of Paul Smith - whose eponymous founder remains heavily involved in the business. Mr Venters, who also oversaw Artfarm's acquisition of London's Groucho Club during his stint with Hauser & Wirth, remains the chair of the private sector council of the government's GREAT campaign. He was also recently appointed as a member of the Soft Power Council jointly chaired by the foreign and culture secretaries, and is a trustee of the King's Foundation. Paul Smith Ltd, which was founded in 1970, sold a large minority stake to Itochu, its Japanese licensing partner, in 2006. Largely known for its menswear, the business has diversified into other areas of fashion and lifestyle design. "Ewan is joining us at a pivotal moment for the company as we consider a number of key strategies to shape the future of our special brand," said Sir Paul Smith, chairman and founder. He added that Mr Venters' "extensive experience in the retail, hospitality and cultural sectors will bring a welcome fresh perspective on what we do". Mr Venters oversaw a period of record performance during his eight years at Fortnum, prior to which he held management roles at Selfridges. He was awarded an OBE in 2024 in the King's Honours List in 2024 for services to international trade. "I have been friends with Sir Paul for some time, and I have long been an admirer of what is indisputably a great British brand," Mr Venters said.
