KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan head men's basketball coach Kahil Fennell has announced the signing of USC Upstate transfer Mason Bendinger.  
 
A 6-4 guard, Bendinger is slated to arrive in Kalamazoo after spending his junior season at USC Upstate. He started 31 of 32 games for the Spartans, netting in double-figures 23 times and ranking 14th in the Big South at 14.4 points per game on a 44.2 field goal percentage, the 10th-best mark in the league. Named the Big South Player of the Week after helping Upstate to wins over Coastal Carolina and Western Carolina in early December, he also contributed 3.7 rebounds per game and shot 31.1 percent from downtown.
 
The Salt Lake City native began his collegiate career with two seasons in his hometown at Salt Lake City Community College. Bendinger appeared in 65 games in his two years with the Bruins, going from 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a freshman, to an All-Conference performer as a sophomore who poured in 17.5 points and grabbed 3.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. He is a graduate of Woods Cross High School.