PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Kelly Wells and the University of Pikeville have had their share of success over the last several seasons, success that includes winning the 2011 Buffalo Funds NAIA Division I National Championship, and Wells being named 2011 NAIA National Coach of the Year.
 
The Bears' newest addition, Jamar “Deuce” Briscoe, will look to help Wells and UPIKE continue that success. Briscoe, a 2009 NCAA Div. I Freshman All-American selection, made it official Friday morning.
 
Briscoe, who was tabbed as one of the top 20 NCAA Division I transfers in the nation in 2012, comes to the University of Pikeville after stellar seasons at North Carolina Central and Charlotte.  Briscoe, a 1,000-point scorer at the NCAA Div. I level, brings a ton of experience and several impressive accolades along with him to UPIKE. 
 
“When you have the opportunity to bring in a player with the personality off the court as well as the ability to play the game of basketball like (Deuce) has, it's a no brainer,” said Wells. “We are very excited about the way things are shaping up for our team this season.”
 
While at North Carolina Central, Briscoe ranked second in the nation among all NCAA Div. I freshman in points per game (17.8), trailing only former Liberty and current Duke star Seth Curry.  The 5-10 combo guard out of Baltimore also added 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. 
 
Other accolades Briscoe collected while at NCCU include CollegeInsider.com NCAA Div. I Mid-Major Freshman All-American, NCAA Div. I Independent Second-Team All-American, First-Team All-BASN Black College Men's Div. I All-American, Second-Team CollegeHoops.net High-Major All-Freshman Team and NCAA Div. I Independent Newcomer of the Year honors.
 
Briscoe also has posted notable high scoring career efforts against opponents such as North Carolina State (28), Wake Forest (18), Kansas State (18) Arkansas (24), South Carolina (19) Duquesne (34), Chicago State (32), Longwood (37), and Gardener Webb (30).
 
Upon transferring from NCCU to Charlotte, Briscoe picked up right where he left off on the hardwood.  During his first season for the 49ers, Briscoe averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while starting 28 of 29 games and being named Atlantic 10 Newcomer of the Year. As a sophomore, Briscoe posted five games of 20 or more points. An added highlight was a 14-point, five-rebound, four-assist effort in a win over No. 7 ranked Tennessee.
 
Despite a coaching change at Charlotte that led to a change of position as a junior, Briscoe still managed a ton of individual success. He started 11 of 30 games and managed averages of 7.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest. Briscoe had 11 double-figure outings while leading the 49ers in scoring three times during the 2011-12 season.   
 
“The thing that stands out most about Deuce is his character. Through all the successes that he has had on the court at the NCAA Div. I level, he has maintained a great GPA and has had no off-court issues.  He will be a big plus for UPIKE on the court and in the community as well,” said Wells.
 
As a prep, Briscoe attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in the powerhouse Baltimore Catholic League.  During his senior season, Briscoe was named a McDonald's High School All-American Nominee, Runner-up for Player of the Year in the BCL, First Team All-BCL as well as Second-Team All-Metro by the Baltimore Sun.
 
 
 
-UPIKE-