Bernard Says Farewell

Malcolm Bernard led the team in points, rebounds and assists in the 2015 – 2016 season
Photo credit: Vaughn Wilson/ Rattler Productions

Florida A&M’s forward Malcolm Bernard has decided that he will no longer attend Florida A&M University for his final season of basketball.

This is the redshirt senior’s second time transferring teams in the past four years. Starting his collegiate career at Charleston Southern University averaging 2.2 points 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists, Bernard felt like he was misunderstood with the coaching staff at CSU, which led him to transferring to FAMU.

“It was a miscommunication and a misunderstanding, and I think that’s what led to me leaving,” Bernard stated. “It was a lot of frustration between me and my last coach.”

Having to sit out his 2014-2015 season because of transfer rules, Bernard felt that he had to prove to himself that he was great.

He lead the Rattlers this 2015-2016 season with 14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, but felt that they could not produce the way he would like to with the team, which led to his ultimate decision.

“I just didn’t think that we had enough, I didn’t think we were going to be able to get it done,” he said. “I really want a better opportunity, I want a better situation and I want to play in the NCAA tournament.”

Bernard was a big addition this past season to the Rattlers men’s basketball team and said his biggest accomplishment was when he made ESPN for leading the boards.

Granted his release Monday afternoon Bernard said he's "weighing his options" in regards to where he will be transferring to, but are considering many schools, including Richmond University and Youngstown State.

“It’s awesome hearing what coaches has to say, being that I’m a graduating senior and they only have me for one year,” he said.

Senior point guard Jerran Foster expressed that it was an honor playing with Bernard because he brought a different style of play to the team.

“It was a great experience to play with Malc, he made everyone around him a better player and believe it or not a better person off the court in some cases,” Foster said. “Malc does whatever you need from him on and off the court and not only is he a great player but he'll always be one of my best friends.”

Bernard stated that he has created a brotherhood with his teammates and wishes them nothing but the best in their future endeavors. Senior center Mario Karailiev wishes Bernard the same.

“I knew from the beginning he is a very good player, a player who deserves to play on a level higher than the MEAC,” he said. “I expected that to happen just because he has big plans for his career and I hope that he will find his next school suitable for his plans.”

Karailiev added that there’s no doubt that whatever school Bernard chooses that he will exceed.

“He will greatly impact any school he goes to. On and off the court, he is a great character and has a personality very easy for people to get to like him,” Karailiev said.