CHARLESTON, S.C. – Pat Kelsey has announced the signing of 2023 Bevo Francis Award finalist Bryce Butler.
 
The former Division II All-American becomes the third graduate transfer of the Kelsey era from West Liberty University joining Dalton Bolon and Pat Robinson III as former Hilltoppers to don a Cougar uniform.
 
"Plain and simple - Bryce is a winning player," said head coach Pat Kelsey. "Everywhere he's been, from high school to college, he's won. He is an extremely efficient basketball player that effects winning in so many ways both on and off the court. His statistics and advanced metrics are impressive."

Butler swept nearly every conference, regional and national award possible while leading West Liberty to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.
 
The 6-5 forward scored double-figures in all 37 games this season and scored for 20 or more points 26 times. Butler had five 30-point games, including a 30-point night in the Atlantic Region final win against No. 3-ranked Indiana (Pa.) and a game-high 32 points in the national championship game.
 
"He scored over 20 points a game while shooting almost 60% from the floor and 40% from three point range. The best and most underrated part of his game in my opinion is his passing," added Kelsey. "This season, he had 134 assists and a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. Most importantly, he is a terrific young man from a great family. He is a perfect fit in our culture. I can't wait for Bryce to get on campus in Our City."
 
In addition to leading the nation with 829 points and a school-record 332 field goals, he ranked 19th nationally with 280 rebounds, 20th in field goal percentage (59.2%), 30th with 10 double-doubles and 39th with 134 assists.
 
A first-team All-American and first-team Academic All-American, Butler repeated as the Mountain East Conference and Atlantic Region Player of the Year. He was also voted Most Valuable Player in the MEC Tournament after helping the Hilltoppers become the first MEC team to win back-to-back titles.