Cole Schafer, a Class of 2012 graduate of Evansville Harrison, is latest Southern Indiana addition to Bellarmine’s top-flight NCAA Division II program. Here’s the school’s release:

Bellarmine University men’s basketball coach Scott Davenport has added to his 2012-13 roster by signing Cole Schafer to a National Letter of Intent. The 6-3 combo guard is a recent graduate of Harrison High School in Evansville, Ind.

“Cole brings great versatility to our program,” said Davenport. “He’s had to overcome an injury, so he’s developed a ‘never to be denied’ attitude, and our staff is impressed with his drive and determination.”

Schafer’s senior season was cut short at Harrison when he tore tendons in between his toes and the arch of his foot seven games into the year. Before the injury he was averaging 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds which included a 13 point, 10 rebound performance against Pleasure Ridge Park High School and fellow Bellarmine signee, Max Clemons.

His high school coach, Bryan Speer, believes that Schafer’s work ethic, he added 15-lbs. of muscle on while rehabbing the injury, shows that his best basketball is still ahead of him. “Cole improved as much over four years as any play as I’ve ever seen,” said Speer. “He just keeps getting better.”

His role in college will probably be as a “2-guard,” but Speer said he did it all in high school. “He played mostly at the 2 or 3, but on defense we had him guard whoever (our opponents’) best player was, no matter if he was 5-7 or 6-7.”

With his injury coming at a time when most college coaches are watching prospects, Schafer said he is grateful for this opportunity and excited to play for such prestigious program. “I came to a Bellarmine game last season and the atmosphere at Knights’ Hall was phenomenal,” Schafer said, adding that he is ready to carve out his own niche on the team. “I just want the fans to watch me play and say, ‘that kid gives it his all.’”