(UP Argos Media Release)
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – With an impressive slate of incoming freshman already signed to the 2018 Recruiting Class, University of Providence men’s basketball is starting in on the junior college ranks. The first JUCO transfer of the Steve Keller era is a return to a productive well for the coach, signing Brandon Cotton of Lower Columbia College.
The 5-10 guard comes from the town, Tacoma, Washington, as Dom Robinson and Brandon Brown who were both NAIA All-Americans under Keller at University of Montana Western.
“We are very happy to announce that Brandon has decided to join our basketball program at the University of Providence,” Keller said. “He possesses all the skills to be a very good point guard in the Frontier Conference. Brandon shoots the three ball and also gets to the free-throw line and makes a lot of both.”
The stats support that statement. In 2017-18, Cotton scored 14.7 ppg for the Red Devils while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three, and 85.4 percent from the charity stripe. Along with being able to score, Cotton is a true point guard, leading the team with 4.3 assists per game with 1.7 assist/turnover ratio.
While at LCC, Cotton helped lead the team to a combined two-year record of 43-18 including two playoff trips and one appearance in the NWAC Championship game. In 2017-18, he was truly a leader for the squad as one of just two returning players on the roster.
“First, I want to give glory to God for giving me the opportunity to further my education at the University of Providence,” Cotton said. “I chose UP because they welcomed me with open arms and have the resources for me to be a success on the basketball court, in the classroom, and in life. I have big goals coming into the season.”
Before playing for LCC, Cotton played for Lincoln High School in Tacoma, leading the team to a 22-6 record and a trip to the 3A State Tournament as a senior.
Cotton is the sixth member of the Argo’s incoming class and the second transfer, though the first, Jaxon Hashley, is transferring after one year of football at Montana State University.
