Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern basketball coach Jeff Boschee has announced the signing of Ralph Bellamy to a national letter of intent to play basketball and attend Southern beginning in the fall of 2017. 

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Bellamy is a 6-4 guard that transfers to Southern after one year at Northern Oklahoma - Tonkowa. Last year at NOC, Bellamy played in all 33 games, averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 51 percent from the field. He helped NOC to a 23-10 record last year. 

Bellamy prepped at Clayton High School where he averaged 19.7 points in his career where he was a four-time All-Conference pick. As a senior, Bellamy won the slam dunk contest in the Missouri State All-Star Game. 

Bellamy is the son of Veronica Jeffries and Ralph Bellamy Sr. and is undecided on his future major at Missouri Southern.

"Ralph comes from a very good Jr college program," Boschee said. "He will give us more athleticism and toughness and a much needed rebounding presence. He's a great kid and we are very excited about him deciding to be a lion."