Former Bethel All-State Guard Bacote Headed to Indiana State
Former Bethel High School standout guard Cameron Bacote has decided to join the Indiana State University basketball program, officially inking with the Missouri Valley program on Friday.
"The coaching staff really likes my game and they have been honest with me this whole recruiting process," Bacote told VirginiaPreps.com.
After spending his freshman season at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Bacote (pronounced Bay-coat) elected to transfer when the Hawks chose not to renew Head Coach Bobby Collins' contract. At UMES, he averaged 7.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while connecting on 45 three-pointers, shooting 78.9% from the foul line (15-of-19) and handing out 62 assists.
Bacote had 28 points and 11 assists in his debut at UMES against Valley Forge. He also scored 18 points against Maryland, and tallied 12 points each against Creighton and Virginia Tech.
"Brett Carey did a tremendous job in recruiting Cam and devloped a positive relationships dating back to his time at Asheville," Indiana State Head Coach Greg Lansing commented in ISU's official press release.
"Coach Carey brought him to the table when Cam received his release from Maryland-Eastern Shore. Cam has already experienced success at the collegiate level and will now have a year to practice in our system. He is the perfect addition to our program."
At Bethel, Bacote led the Bruins to a 24-6 overall record and their first appearance in the State Championship game since 2008 during his senior season, playing alongside center Dajour Dickens (now at Providence) and Jeremiah Owusu (football player at Notre Dame now). In his final season there, he averaged 20 points, three rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 84% from the foul line and 38% behind the three-point line on his way to First Team All-State honors.
Also chosen the PenSouth Conference 10 Player of the Year his senior season at Bethel, Bacote put up 21 points in the team's 65-52 loss to L.C. Bird in the Group 5A State Championship game at VCU. In the classroom, he was an honor roll student all four years at Bethel, maintaining over a 3.4 GPA and being named to the National Honor Society as a junior and senior.
Although Indiana State is coming off four straight losing seasons, Lansing is 133-126 in eight years at the helm of the Sycamores. That was highlighted by a trip to the NCAA Tournament in his first season, 2010-11.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Bacote will have to sit out the 2018-19 campaign. But he's excited about the new challenge waiting for him.
"I feel like I can really develop my game and my strength in this year sitting out," Bacote stated. "The vibe around campus and the community is all in with the basketball program, so I felt like this was a huge opportunity for me."
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