FIU Athletics

2018-19 (Senior Year): Finished his collegiate career at FIU establishing himself as one of the best players to ever wear the blue and gold, despite playing in just two seasons and only 65 career games for the Panthers … Tallied 1.096 career points, over two seasons, good enough for sixth all-time at FIU … In addition, his 191 steals and 381 assists are both second all-time in school history … Played, and started, in all 34 games during his senior season with the Panthers … Averaged 17.3 points-per-game which was tops on the team and seventh in Conference USA (C-USA) … Was also first in C-USA and second in the nation in steals-per-game, averaging 2.9 per outing, and second in the league, and 21^st in the nation in assists-per-contest, dishing out 6.0 per game … For his efforts, Beard, Jr. was named Second Team All-C-USA and was a C-USA All-Defensive Team selection … He was also selected to participate in the 2019 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, following his collegiate career, at the NCAA Division I Final Four in Minneapolis, Minnesota ... Beard, Jr. scored in double figures in 28 of the 34 games he played in during his senior campaign, and in 56 of the 65 career games he played in during his two seasons at FIU … He poured in 20-or-more points in 11 games in 2018-19, including a career-high 36 points against Youngstown State (11/18), on 9-for-13 (69.2 percent) shooting from the field, 2-for-5 (40.0 percent) from behind the three-point arc, and an impressive 16-of-20 (80.0 percent) from the free-throw line … Fell one point shy of recording his second 30-point game of the season, with a 29-point effort, twice, against North Florida (12/13) and at Texas State (3/23), in the first round of the Collegeinsider.com Tournament … The win against Texas State was the Panthers’ first-ever postseason victory … Beard, Jr. also dropped 28 points at Middle Tennessee (1/3) and against Old Dominion (1/12) … The California native dished out seven-plus assists 13 times, and nine-or-more five times … He set a career-high for assists with 10 against Columbia (11/17), to go along with 26 points for the first of two double-doubles on the year … Also dropped 10 dimes in the 28-point game against Old Dominion … In addition, he logged nine handouts three times against Weber International (11/7), at Florida Atlantic (1/23) and against Louisiana Tech (2/2) … Beard, Jr. arguably made his biggest impact on the defensive end of the floor, recording seven five-plus steal games during the 2018-19 campaign … Tied his career-high for steals, with six, twice during his senior season at Fordham (11/16) and at Florida Atlantic (2/23).

2017-18 (Junior Year): Proved to be one of the premier point guards in Conference USA during his inaugural campaign with FIU … Averaged a team-high 16.4 points-per-game for the Panthers, which was good enough for ninth in Conference USA, and a team-best 2.9 steals-per-outing, which was first in C-USA and fifth in the nation … He also led the team, and was fifth in C-USA, in assists dishing out 5.7 per-game, and was impressive on the glass, grabbing 3.9 rebounds-per-game, from the point-guard position … Set school single-season records for steals (90) and assists (176) … For his efforts, Beard, Jr. was named Third Team All-Conference USA and was named to the C-USA All-Defensive Team … Beard, Jr.’s 508 points scored, during 2017-18, was the eighth most scored in a single season at FIU, and the third most scored by a junior. … Netted double figures in 28-of-31 games played for FIU, and 20-or-more points nine times … Poured in his initial career-high of 28 points at USF (12/11), on 10-for-15 (66.7 percent) shooting from the field, 3-for-5 (60.0 percent) from behind the three-point arc, and 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) from the free-throw line, while also dishing out six assists, recording six steals and grabbing five rebounds against the Bulls … Beard, Jr. surpassed that career-high, scoring 30 points in the season-finale against Southern Miss (3/7) in the C-USA Tournament first round, coupled with seven assists and three rebounds … Dropped in three-straight 20-point performances during the season, with 22 points in back-to-back games at Rice (1/25) and at North Texas (1/27), and 23 points against Southern Miss (2/1) … Also has a 24-point outing against Florida Gulf Coast (12/19) … Logged 21 games with five-plus assists, and 14 contests with seven-or-more handouts … Dished out a career-high 10 handouts against Louisiana Tech (2/3) to go along with 19 points, and had nine assists against UAB (1/6) for his first career double-double … Drained two three-point shots in the final five seconds, including a buzzer-beater, to secure the win over the Bulldogs, 71-68 … Had six games with five-plus steals and was tied in Conference USA for the second most steals in a single game during the season … Recorded six takeaways three times, doing so at USF, against Hartford (12/22), and Florida Atlantic (12/30) … Was one of only two players in C-USA to log six-or-more assists two-or-more times.    

2016-17 (Sophomore Year at Chaffey College): Turned in a banner season in his final campaign at Chaffey College … Was tabbed a First Team All-California selection and was selected as the South Coast Conference (SCC) North Division Co-Player of the Year … Averaged 19.7 points-per-game for the Panthers which was good enough for 14^th in the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) … He also dished out 5.3 assists- and recorded 2.3 steal-per-contest for Chaffey … His assists-per-game average was 15^th in the CCCAA and his steals average fifth in the CCCAA and was tops in the SCC … Recorded double figures in 27-of-30 games played in for Chaffey, while helping the Panthers to a 23-9 overall record and an 8-2 mark in the SCC … He tallied better than 20 points in 16 outings and 30-or-more points five times, including a career-high 35 points against Los Angeles Tech (2/8) … All five of his 30-point contests came consecutively, averaging 32.8 points-per-game and shooting 53.9 percent (48-of-89) during the five-game stretch … He also recorded two double-doubles in his final season with the Panthers, logging 22 points and 15 assists against Los Angeles Tech (1/20) and 15 points and 11 handouts in the next game at Pasadena City College (1/25).
 
2015-16 (Freshman Year at Chaffey College): As a freshman, Beard Jr. netted 12.5 points-, 5.9 assists- and 2.0 steals-per-game and was a First Team All-SCC selection … He scored in double figures in 20 games, including a then-career-high 25 points against Victor Valley College (1/16/16) … He also dished out a career-high 17 assists at Barstow College (1/27/16).
 
Prep Career: Averaged 17 points- and eight assists-per-game during his senior campaign at Rancho Cucamonga High School … Was an All-California Interscholastic Federation selection during his senior year for the Cougars … Played basketball for Bill Burke at Rancho Cucamonga High School. 
 
Personal: Full name is Bernard Brian Beard Jr. and is the son of Bernard and Mechel Beard … Has one sister, Bri’Anna … Enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends and buying shoes in his spare time … Was also recruited by Southern Utah, Texas Southern, Utah Valley and Chaminade (Hawaii), among other schools … Plans to major in communications at FIU.

Career Highs through 2018-19 Season
Points: 36 vs. Youngstown State (11/18/18)
Rebounds: 8, 3X last vs. North Florida (12/13/18)
Assists: 10, 3X last vs. Old Dominion (1/12/19)
Steals: 6, 7X last at Florida Atlantic (2/23/19)
Blocked Shots: 1 , 2X last vs. Florida Atlantic (1/26/19)
Minutes: 47 vs. Elon (11/17/17)
Field Goals Made: 10, 2X last vs. Southern Miss (3/7/18)
Field Goal Attempts: 23 at Middle Tennessee (1/3/19)
Three-Point Field Goals Made: 5 at Middle Tennessee (1/3/19)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted: 13 at Middle Tennessee (1/3/19)
Free Throws Made: 16 vs. Youngstown State (11/18/18)
Free Throw Attempts: 20 vs. Youngstown State (11/18/18)