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Newly Committed Jimmy Bell Jr. Brings Size and Toughness to West Virginia

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As West Virginia gets another big man to commit to the basketball program, the lack of big men has seemingly changed over the last week. On Sunday night, JUCO big man Jimmy Bell Jr. committed to West Virginia.

Before Mohamed Wague committed to the Mountaineers on Monday, WVU only had one big man in James Okonkwo standing at 6-foot-8 on the roster. Now the coaching staff has added two 6-foot-10 bigs in Wague (210 pounds) and Bell (280 pounds).

Bell comes from Moberly Area CC where he posted 9.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. The Michigan native comes to Morgantown with two years of eligibility, so he has time to develop under Bob Huggins. During the recruitment for Bell, Huggins told the big man what he needs.

“Getting the ball on the block, [he] wants a guy he can throw it down to,” Bell Jr. told WV Sports Now. “He is very confident that I am the guy to do it.”

During his only season in JUCO play, Bell shot 59 percent from the field. Bell also played two seasons at St. Louis, averaging 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds on 49 percent shooting. Bell has proven that he can shoot well from the field. Last season, the Mountaineers struggled in the paint offensively and defensively. WVU finished 352nd in the country in defensive rebounding and 328th in two-point attempts. With the addition of Bell, his 59 percent shooting from the field and his 9.1 rebounds per game can really help the void that needed to be addressed during the offseason.

You cannot deny the size of Bell; 6-foot-10 and 280 pounds is no joke. Bell will be able to size up the Big 12 centers and control the paint against those that are smaller than him. Last season, the team relied on Isaiah Cottrell, who was coming off an Achilles injury, to play tough down low. That didn’t seem to work as Cottrell spent some time gaining his confidence back in making contact with the other players.

Bell is motivated to bring back the toughness that West Virginia basketball is all about.

“I’m looking forward to bringing bully ball, toughness, and winning back to Motown,” Bell told WV Sports Now. “I can’t wait to see and play in front of all of the fans. LET’S RIDE!!!”

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