Javon Bess to transfer to Billikens

Courtesy of SLUBillikens.com

ST. LOUIS – Javon Bess, who played the past two seasons at Michigan State, will transfer to Saint Louis University, SLU head coach Travis Ford announced.

Per NCAA transfer regulations, Bess will sit out next season and will be eligible to compete for the Billikens in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

“We are thrilled to have Javon join our program,” Ford said. “He has a very high skill level and is extremely competitive. Javon will bring a lot of versatility and leadership to our team. He lives in the gym and is one of those players who works on his game daily in order to be the best.”

The 6-foot-5 Bess appeared in 44 games over two seasons at Michigan State. Last year as a sophomore, he started 13 games and averaged nearly 3.0 ppg for the Spartans. Bess appeared in just 12 games (three starts) as a freshman before a foot injury cut his rookie season short.

Bess averaged 22 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.5 assists as a senior at Gahanna Lincoln High School in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. He played for Pickerington Central High School as a sophomore and helped the Tigers capture the 2012 Division I Ohio state championship.

Bess is one of five newcomers to the Billikens’ roster and one of three NCAA Division I transfers, joining D.J. Foreman (Rutgers) and Adonys Henriquez (Central Florida). Freshmen Jalen Johnson (Baton Rouge, La.) and Zeke Moore (St. Louis, Mo.) are newcomers who are eligible this year.