(CNN)Kalin Bennett says he wants kids to believe in themselves "first and foremost" -- and he's hoping he can be an example.
Bennett is the first student-athlete with autism to sign a national letter of intent to play a team sport at the NCAA Division I level. He made his debut for Kent State University's men's basketball team in its season-opening game Wednesday.
Kent State won the home game against Hiram, also of northern Ohio, at the MAC Center, 97-58.
Bennett entered the game with six minutes left to play, and he finished with 2 points, two rebounds and one block. He scored his first collegiate points on a hook shot with less than three minutes left to play.