(Peru, Neb.) – A third Phoenix College Bear in two years will become a Peru State Bobcat men's basketball player.   James Pierce, a 5-8 guard, from Avondale, Ariz., will join former Phoenix College teammates Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) and Taylor Christensen (Phoenix, Ariz.) for the 2013-14 basketball season.
Pierce and his Bears' teammates went 21-14 this past season and were the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region 1 and District 1 Champions.  Phoenix College participated in the NCJAA Division II tournament in Danville, Ill., and finished 1-2.

During the 2012-13 season, Pierce started 28 games, averaging 26.6 minutes per game, second-highest on the team.  Pierce averaged 4.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game – a team-high, and had 1.8 steals per game.

Peru State head coach Troy Katen was happy to have signed Pierce.  Katen noted, “James will help provide leadership at the point guard position for us.  We are looking forward to having him join the squad this fall.”

Pierce is the son of LaChrisha and Devin Courisseau of Avondale, Ariz., and was an Estrella Foothills High School graduate in Goodyear, Ariz.