Spartan Nation’s Charlie Bell Now a Warrior

 

His big smile and blue collar Michigan work ethic made Charlie Bell a Spartan Nation favorite while at MSU. That same work ethic sent him overseas after his college career as he worked his way into the NBA and the Milwaukee Bucks. After a big time trade prior to tonight’s NBA draft, Bell now finds himself a Golden State Warrior.

 

That same work ethic that won the Spartan Nation also made him a fan favorite in Milwaukee. The Warrior organization was thrilled to get him. The Warriors praised his high character and the intangibles that he brings to their young team. In a statement they went on to say:

 

Bell, 31, appeared in 71 games with the Bucks last season – including 39 in a starting role – averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.7 minutes. He scored a season-high 19 points on November 21 at Memphis, one of 22 double-figure outings, and dished out a season-best six assists November 14 against the Warriors. In 39 games as a starter, the 6’3” guard averaged 8.7 points and 2.2 assists. Additionally, he averaged 9.0 points and 1.9 assists when logging at least 20 minutes (47 times) and appeared in three of Milwaukee’s seven playoff outings in its 2010 First Round series versus Atlanta (second career playoff experience).

A six-year NBA veteran, Bell enjoyed his most productive campaign during the 2006-07 season, when he averaged a career-high 13.5 points, 3.0 assists, a career-best 2.9 rebounds and converted a career-high 127 three-pointers in 82 outings with Milwaukee. Bell, who was not drafted by an NBA team, has played for three teams during his NBA career – Milwaukee (five seasons), Phoenix (five games in 2001-02) and Dallas (two games in 2001-02) – and has also experienced International stints in both the Italian and Spanish Leagues. He enjoyed a stellar four-year collegiate career at Michigan State, where he helped lead the Spartans to three consecutive appearances in the Final Four (1999, 2000, 2001) and four straight Big Ten Conference titles. He was named Michigan State’s Defensive Player of the Year during each of his four seasons in East Lansing.

 

Bell is in Las Vegas this morning for the NBA Players’ Union meetings, but released this statement via Twitter, “Thanks Bucksfans for all your support over the years. We had our good times and bad but I will always love the city of Milwaukee.” He went on to give a “Shout out to Warriors’ fans out there. I'm looking forward to giving it my all for you guys. See you soon.”  He also mentioned that with former Spartan Jason Richardson having played for Golden State prior to a move to the Phoenix Suns that “Guess I will need Jason Richardson to tell me where to go.”