Tai Bell of
Mater Lakes Academy (Miami, Fla.) is following in the footsteps of his father, 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell. The freshman excels on both ends of the floor and is the third-leading scorer in the Class of 2028 according to statistics submitted to MaxPreps.
Raja played 12 years in the NBA with six different squads. As an undrafted rookie in 2001, the defensive standout earned minutes in the NBA Finals with the 76ers.
Tai has also made an early impact. The 6-foot-3 guard played on varsity as an eighth grader but has vaulted into the spotlight this season with averages of 25.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
Freshman Tai Bell of Mater Lakes Academy averages 25.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The son of NBA defensive standout Raja Bell holds offers from Florida International and Old Dominion. (Photo: Jules Karney)
Tai has put up 30 points or more in seven games with eight double-doubles.
Raja was named to the NBA All-Defensive team twice and Tai appears to have inherited his instincts, recording three or more steals in 11 games. He also ranks sixth in the nation in charges taken per game.
American Heritage happens to be the school Tai's brother
Dia Bell attends. Dia is regarded as one of the top 10 football prospects in the Class of 2026 according to
247Sports. A 6-2 quarterback committed to Texas, Dia also played basketball from eighth grade until his sophomore year with Raja as head coach. He is not playing basketball this season so the brothers did not face each other Monday.
Dia began receiving football scholarship offers before his freshman year while Tai already holds offers from Old Dominion and Florida International.
Mater Lakes Academy will continue its season in the 4A District 15 semifinals tonight against Central (Miami).
