Official announcement of Michael Bethea Jr. joining Chico State basketball program

"Wildcats find final roster boost in Bethea"

Head Coach Greg Clink was already enthusiastic about his 2016-17 Chico State men's basketball roster. The latest addition – Grambling State senior transfer Michael Bethea, Jr. – has him even more eager to get the season under way.

"We are really excited about Michael," Clink said. "He's a high character guy who is going to bring athleticism and great outside shooting to the team."

Bethea, a 6-foot-6 wing from Staten Island, New York, started 20 games and saw action in 31 last season at Division I Grambling, averaging 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and a steal per game. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Ohlone Junior College in the Bay Area.

"I'm very ecstatic to have the opportunity to play for Chico State," Bethea said. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to help us win conference, regional, and national titles."

While at Ohlone, Bethea formed a friendship with current Wildcats point guard Jalen McFerren in open gym. Having followed the trajectory of McFerren's collegiate career, he believed Chico State would be a good fit for his senior year.

"I wanted to win and I wanted to be under a great coaching staff," Bethea said. "I still have a lot to learn, and playing for the Chico State coaching staff, I know I will learn a ton."

Bethea is the final piece of Clink's six-man recruiting class. Click the link on the top-left corner of the story to read about the first five. They join a Chico State roster that returns its top three starters, 10 returning letterwinners, and redshirt freshman center Justin Briggs following its second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship and fifth straight trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament.