CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina men's basketball head coach Justin Gray announced today the addition of Bernard Pelote for the 2022-23 season. Pelote, a 6-8 forward, joins the Catamount family after playing the previous two seasons at NCAA Division II member Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.

"Bernard is a hard-working young man that aspires to become better every day," said Gray. "His goals include gaining a great education and building life-long relationships, all while playing the game he loves. Those are the kind of people we want to be a part of our program and I'm ecstatic to welcome him to Catamount Country!"

Pelote was a third-team All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) performer this past season after he averaged 14.9 points and a team-best 7.9 rebounds per game. The Savannah, Ga., native finished in double figures in 10 of the 16 games he played. He ranked second in the SAC in rebounding average and blocks, recording three double-doubles including a season-best 27 points and 16 rebounds against Anderson on Jan. 10.

During the 2020-21 season, Pelote earned a spot on the SAC All-Freshman Team as he averaged 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds while starting 12 of 20 games played. He totaled seven double-figure games with three 20-point games including a season-best 26 points against Limestone in the regular-season finale.

Pelote prepped at Woodville-Tompkins High School and was a team captain for the Wolverines. He earned 2A All-State and All-Region accolades and averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks per game as a senior. He played AAU basketball for Team United EYBL.

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