A third prize recruit has verbally committed to play for Bemidji State next season.
St. Bernard's 6-foot-6, forward Patrick Cassidy announced his intentions to play for the Bemidji State men's basketball program during a visit to the school Saturday night.
Cassidy joins 6-10 center Jimmy Johnson of Andover and 6-4 guard Brady Fairbanks of Cass Lake-Bena who both gave there verbal to attend BSU a week and a half ago.
The first day for high school seniors to officially sign a National Letter of Intent to play basketball is April 11 and due to NCAA rules Bemidji State head coach Matt Bowen is prohibited from commenting on recruits until they have signed a NLI.
Cassidy, who averages 13 points per game this season, said there were several factors in his decision.
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"It's a great coaching staff and my good friend Jimmy Johnson is going here," Cassidy said. "I also know Brady Fairbanks who is a heck of a player."
"Also, there was no one as serious as Bemidji State."
Cassidy said he also drew interest from Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota State-Moorhead and Winona State.
He said he is excited to join Fairbanks and Johnson on the court next season for BSU.
"Not only are we all good players but we are players who know each other and are all friends," Cassidy said.
Cassidy and Johnson were teammates on the same AAU basketball team the summer before they were freshmen in high school and were again teammates last summer during the AAU season.
Cassidy is the third-leading scorer for the Bulldogs.
Marquette recruit Trevor Mbakwe, who averages 22 ppg, also plays for St. Bernard's.
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"On my high school team I play all five positions," Cassidy said. "I just try to do whatever I can out there to help my team win."
And that they are. The team is 23-0 on the season for Class 1A St. Bernard's.
The Bulldogs are coached by Ed Cassidy, Patrick's father.
"He's been coaching me my whole life," Cassidy said of his father. "It's been a good experience."
His father's influence has spilled over onto the basketball court.
"I'm the leader of the team even though I may not be the best player," Cassidy said. "I make sure everyone knows their defensive assignments and what we're running on offense."
The versatile Cassidy is expected to play the 3 or 4 position for the Beavers and will play there with confidence.
"I can bring toughness to the team and some leadership," he said.
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Cassidy sounded just as confident in his decision on where to continue his basketball career
"I always knew BSU was my first choice I just wanted to wait a little and see if there were any other options but this is the right decision," he said.
Note
E St. Bernard's is ranked No. 1 in Class 1A and Cass Lake-Bena is No. 2. If the two were to advance to the state tournament the two would only meet in the state championship game.
