OWENSBORO, KY. (WFIE) – Head coach Drew Cooper announced Friday morning that the Kentucky Wesleyan men’s basketball team has signed Borja “Beezy” Fernandez from Montana State University. In addition to Fernandez, the Panthers will also add incoming rookie Cade Jones and Carter Bischoff.

Beezy Fernandez had a terrific first few years at Montana State, helping lead the team to the birth of an NCAA Tournament in 2022 and finishing second in voting for Big Sky Freshman of the Year in his freshman season.

“I am thrilled that Borja has the opportunity to continue his athletic and college career at Kentucky Wesleyan and for Coach Cooper,” former Montana State assistant Shawn Dirden said. “He is highly skilled and has the ability to score around the rim and also stretch the ground from the 3-point line. He is an efficient passer, ball handler and shooter who moves fluidly across the court. We have always considered it a nightmare for opposing teams.

In three seasons with the Bobcats, the 6’8″ forward scored 268 points and hauled 144 rebounds, shooting over 45% from the field in the process.

Coach Drew Cooper says, “We expect Beezy to have an immediate impact. He is experienced, skilled, physical and moves well for his size. He is a young man who has all the class. He’s outgoing, humble, and I’m just happy to add him.

Fernandez hails from Bilao, Spain and was part of FC Barcelona’s prestigious basketball program growing up. He competed for the Spanish U16 and U18 teams in international competition and helped lead FC Barcelona to the Spanish U19 final in 2019. “Kentucky Wesleyan is the program with the best D2 history in the whole country. I love the Owensboro community and I think we can do great things,” Borja said. “The opportunity Coach Cooper gives me to compete and win a championship is unique. I’m really excited and proud to be a Panther.

Cade Jones came to KWC through Eastern High School in Beijing, Indiana. The 6′3″ shooter scored 1,354 points (21 PPG) in high school (3 seasons) and scored a career-high 40 points in just three quarters earlier this year. Last year, Jones was named Washington County Player of the Year, named Hoosier Basketball All-State, Southern Indiana Super Senior 7, HBCA All-District 4 and played in the Hoosier Basketball top 60.

Jones is the son of Mike and Dawn Jones and plans to study business at Wesleyan.

Carter Bischoff is a 6′0″ shooting guard from DeSales High School in Louisville, Ky. Bischoff helped lead his team to a Louisville Invitational Tournament Championship and a 2021 District Tournament Championship. He was named 6th Region All-Star, DeSales Offensive Player of the Year, and was ranked top 25 in the region in three-point shooting (#4), free throw percentage (#6), and scoring (#16). Bischoff was extremely involved in high school, being named to the Principal’s List every four years and was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Academic All-State, and House Leader.

Bischoff is the son of former KWC athletes Chad Bischoff and Stacey (Baxter) Bischoff and plans to study exercise science at KWC.

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