Bernie Andre commits to Vermont

Vermont made a huge splash on the transfer market yesterday getting a commitment from Bernie Andre a 6-6 G/F from North Miami Beach, FL who played his last two seasons at Northern Arizona University. Andre is a graduate transfer and will be immediately eligible this season. This is new territory for the Vermont program. Andre is the most accomplished transfer that Vermont has landed in my lifetime and maybe ever. Typically Vermont has landed transfers who were role players on their previous team looking for an opportunity to win and expand their game. Andre is much more than that. In the 2018-2019 season, his first with NAU, Andre led the Lumberjacks in both scoring (13.8) and rebounding (8.5), was named third team all conference, and Big Sky newcomer of the year. He followed that up last season by averaging 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Vermont is getting a player who was viewed as one of the top players in his conference for two seasons. Andre scored 763 points in his two seasons at NAU and was a very highly sought after graduate transfer. He had offers from several major conference schools and chose the Catamounts. This addition immediately solidifies Vermont as the America East frontrunner and keeps them in the realm of best mid-majors in the country. Andre slots right into Everett Duncan's minutes and brings a major scoring and rebounding punch to the Cats. Andre uses his length and strength to get to the rim and finish in traffic. His rebounding numbers are really what jumps off the page. Andre is a tenacious rebounder on both the offensive and defensive glass. Over the last two seasons the Vermont coaching staff has dipped heavily into the transfer market which is an interesting shift. The Cats have always grabbed a transfer here and there to augment their homegrown players. Last season they filled an immediate need and now this season they are adding talent that will immediately step into the rotation. It signifies a shift into a very win now, maximize each season strategy. I would imagine that some of that shift this offseason is due to the recruiting season being shut down making it hard to get out and evaluate any unsigned young talent. Andre has had quite a circuitous journey during his basketball career. He played high school basketball in Florida, prepped in North Carolina, redshirted at DII Mercy College in NY, played one year of JUCO at Wallace State in Alabama, two seasons at NAU, and will suit up for Vermont next season. What a treat to have his final season be in Catamount Country!