CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri signed talented guards Marqueas Bell and BJ Ward for the 2023-24 season Thursday.
 
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Bell was named to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 6 All-State Team after leading Park Hill High School to its second consecutive 16-win season a year ago. He averaged 19.7 points per game and made 39 percent of his 3-pointers.
 
"Marqueas brings an energy and spirit that you want to be around," said SEMO Head Coach Brad Korn. "He has a big personality and is a basketball junkie. He lives in the gym, is a great competitor and teammate, and makes others better with his playmaking and passing abilities. We are extremely excited to have him and his family grow and build our program well into the future."
 
Bell comes from a talented athletic family that includes Ronnie Bell, a star wide receiver at the University of Michigan, and his twin brother, Kendrick Bell, who received an offer from the Wolverines. His younger sister, Iaila, also holds an offer from Michigan.
 
"He comes from an athletic family where both his parents were standout players in their own right," added Korn. "Marqueas has had great coaches throughout his development from high school (Coach Jones) and AAU (LJ Goolsby, Vic Williams) in the basketball rich area of Kansas City."
 
Bell's relationship with Redhawk assistant coach Keith Pickens factored into his decision as well. He has known Pickens since his junior high school days.
 
Ward, who hails from St. Louis, averaged 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists leading the Red Devils to a 23-9 record and fourth-place finish in the state tournament as a junior. He spent the summer playing for Brad Beal Elite's 17U team. Ward will enter his third season as the starting point guard for Chaminade College Preparatory School, which made back-to-back trips to the Final Four of the Class 6 State Tournament.
 
"BJ comes from a fantastic high school program in Chaminade (St. Louis) and has been coached by one of the best in Coach Bennett," said Korn. "Playing for BBE and being on the EYBL circuit has prepared him to be able to help us right away. We are excited to have BJ and his family join ours as we continue to mold our program."
 
Ward is one of the top point guards in the state of Missouri who is currently ranked seventh in the Class of 2023 according to Prep Hoops Missouri.
 
"BJ is a very smooth point guard that plays with a great feel and pace. He's never rattled and has a burst that he can use at any moment," continued Korn. "He has an excellent outside shot and really knows how to get others involved making the correct plays with the ability to make outside shots."