Bell eager to wring opponents
Utah State basketball’s biggest player physically may very well be the team’s biggest contributor as far as newcomers go. And, technically, you can’t even call him that.
Sophmore Brayden Bell, a 6-foot-9 240-pound transfer from Ohio State University, was with the team last year but red-shirted due to NCAA transfer rules. This season will be Bell’s first in which he is eligible to suit up and play in real games.
“As far as playing time, it was kind of rough (at Ohio State),” Bell said. “When you have a player like Greg Oden playing in front of you, you’re not going to play too much.”
Ohio State’s loss was turned into the Aggies’ gain when he chose to move back to his home state and dawn the Aggie Blue and Fighting White. So why Utah State?
“Year in and year out they just seem to get better and better, just a great coach and just a great family environment, great fans, they got everything,” Bell said. “I was a little bit homesick, I missed my family and friends and playing for a school like this with a coach like (Head Coach Stew) Morrill.”
Bell was a standout player for Brighton High school in Salt Lake City. There he averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as a senior before deciding to play for Ohio State. In addition to his strength on the defensive end of the court, Bell considers his ability to play offense inside and out his strong point.
“Offensively being able to go inside and out, defensively being stronger than the other team that I am playing against,” he said.
This year Bell said he wants to play every game and try to help make the team better while improving on his own ability as well.
“Just to go out every night and try and make the team better and try and win every game and just hopefully keep stepping it up as time goes on,” Bell said.
Being with the team last year should help Bell do that, he said. He was able to learn Morrill’s system. However, Bell is prepared to do whatever the coaches ask of him, he said.
“I was here year last year and so I kind of have the system,” he said. “I am more fluent with it, but whatever it is that they need me to do, whether it be scoring, defense, rebounding. I just feel like I have to do whatever it is to help our team win.”
Along with being able to learn the Aggies’ system while sitting out last year, Bell was able to experience games in the Spectrum. He said this was the toughest part of not being able to play last season.
“It was rough. It was definitely rough watching my team, watching everything happen,” he said. “But rules are rules. You can’t really change them. It was a tough learning experience, but I got through it and am finally eligible.”
After sitting out a year and not getting much playing time at Ohio State, Bell said he is ready for the season to get underway officially.
“I can’t wait,” Bell said. “We had our first little mock practice Monday. Just getting ready and I’m happy to be here.”
-sam.bryner@aggiemail.usu.edu