Xavier lands FAMU transfer Bernard

Guard Malcolm Bernard announced on Twitter that he will play his final season for Xavier.

The 6-foot-6, 195-pounder will be eligible to play immediately for the Musketeers as a graduate transfer from Florida A&M. Bernard, 22, played two years at Charleston Southern before transfering to FAMU and sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules. He then led the Rattlers in points (14.4 ppg) and rebounds (7.1 rpg) last season.

"I'm happy to be a Musketeer and I'm glad I'm getting to spend my last year at Xavier," Bernard told Enquirer.com late Monday. "I'm coming to work with the best and play with the best and win with the best.

"I'm stat stuffer. I like to stuff stats all over. I think that's why Xavier chose me because of how versatile I can be and all the things I can bring to the table."

Bernard told the Tallahassee Democrat in April that he had committed to Richmond, then reportedly rescinded his committment earlier this month. The Miami native then considered Fordham, Miami, Missouri, VCU and Virginia before landing at Xavier.

"I wanted to have the chance to go to the NCAA tournament," Bernard told the Enquirer.com. "I wanted to win a lot of games and be successful. I thought if I transferred, I would be able to do something bigger somewhere else.

"I was impressed. I was blown away. I thought the staff was incredible. Obviously that's why I chose Xavier in the end. The guys were great. They embraced me and really wanted me to be part of this team. I felt right at home."