STARKVILLE — Mississippi State basketball center Jimmy Bell Jr. joined the Bulldogs' football team Thursday during spring practice, coach Jeff Lebby told reporters.

Bell has one season of football eligibility remaining, though he has exhausted his basketball eligibility.

Bell, who is expected to be an the offensive tackle, is fresh off his lone season with MSU basketball. He appeared in 34 games, including 15 starts, and averaged 4.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game under coach Chris Jans.

Bell spent the 2022-2023 season at West Virginia. While with the Mountaineers, Bell (6-10, 280 pounds) worked with the football program. However, because he never took the field for a game, he's expected to have a season of football eligibility remaining.

Bell's college career started at Saint Louis University (2019-2021) before going to Moberly Area Community College for the 2021-2022 campaign.

Bell is a product of Saginaw, Michigan. As an offensive tackle, he was a three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Mississippi State is entering its first season with Lebby at the helm of the football program. MSU basketball is coming off its second season under Jans. The Bulldogs were eliminated as a No. 8 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 9 seed Michigan State.

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Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State basketball's Jimmy Bell Jr. joins football team