LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine University women’s basketball coach Chancellor Dugan on Tuesday announced the signing of Cornell University graduate transfer and local product Mia Beam.
A Louisville native, Beam played four years at Cornell, appearing in 74 games over the last three seasons after her freshman campaign was canceled due to the pandemic. The 5-foot-8 guard played her prep ball at Christian Academy of Louisville.
“Mia was a huge part of Cornell basketball for four years and was also a local kid that we watched play in high school,” Dugan said. “She exhibits great leadership and basketball IQ. Mia will do whatever it takes to win — she’s the kind of selfless player that relishes setting up her teammates.”
In her last season at Cornell, Beam made 23 starts and appeared in all 26 games while averaging a career-high 16.4 minutes. She saw action in 26 games in 2022-23 and in 22 contests the year prior to that.
Beam averaged 3.1 points and shot 83.1 percent from the free-throw line in her tenure at Cornell. Last season, she posted a 13-point game behind a trio of 3-pointers against Western Kentucky and followed with an 11-point effort against Mount St. Mary’s.
“I think Bellarmine is awesome and I have so much more to give as a basketball player,” Beam said. “I am excited to give it all I’ve got for one more year! I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I hope to not only bring productivity to this team but also leave the program better than I found it! Super excited to get to work.”
Beam was a two-time All-District and two-time All-Region selection at Christian Academy of Louisville, leading the Centurians to back-to-back titles at the Kentucky 2A Championships in 2018-19 and 2019-20 while earning All-Tournament plaudits both seasons. Beam played club ball for the Nike Lady Gym Rats.
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