FSU Basketball: Benji Bell to Transfer

Senior-to-be Benji Bell became the second Florida State guard to transfer this offseason when the school made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

Bell, a former junior college transfer, averaged 3.8 points and a rebound in his only season in Tallahassee. Bell played in 33 of Florida State’s 34 games during the 2015-16 campaign.

Bell scored in double-figures four times last season, including a career-high 18 points against Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 13, 2015.

Bell joins Robbie Berwick as guards to leave the program this offseason. Berwick announced in April that he would leave Tallahassee for Colorado State after missing all last season to injury.

What it means: The loss of Bell will mean a hit to Florida State’s depth at the guard position. With his ability to handle the ball, Bell was expected to see significant time at both the point guard and shooting guard positions. The loss likely means that FSU will go with a big guard lineup that includes Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in the backcourt. The subtraction of Bell also likely means that the Seminoles will rely on a younger face like freshman C.J. Walker to spell projected starter Rathan-Mayes at the point guard position. With Terance Mann returning and Trent Forrest and Braian Angola-Rhodes incoming, FSU should be fine at shooting guard.