Men's Basketball Signs Hedrens Bartelus
4/22/2026 3:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Kennen announced the signing of Hedrens "Jr" Bartelus, a 6-7 forward out of Chipola College in Marianna, Fla.
"Adding JR Bartelus is another step forward for our program," Kennen said. "He is a high-character, high-motor player who believes in what we are building. He is a winner. He brings a competitive edge and a hunger to grow that fits where we are headed. Our fans are going to love how he competes and the energy he brings to North Florida. He has been coached at an elite level by Donnie Tyndall and his staff at Chipola College. They continued to build on the foundation and mentorship that he received at Lake Worth High School under Frank Baxley and his staff as well as one of the top travel programs at South Florida Elite. We are excited to welcome JR and his family to the North Florida family."
Bartelus averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists on 52.3 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three in 34 games with 31 starts at Chipola College in 2025-26.
Bartelus played at South Georgia Technical College in 2024-25 and earned a spot of the 2024-25 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) Division I All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team. He led GCAA Division I in rebounds with 10.1 rebounds per game and started all 31 games for South Georgia Technical College.
Bartelus joins transfer Elijah Elliott (Ohio, Orlando, Fla.) and a high school class of Isaiah Brown (Stranahan High School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Christopher Perry (Bradwell Institute, Hinesville, Ga.) and Asa Kohn (Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Fla.).
"Adding JR Bartelus is another step forward for our program," Kennen said. "He is a high-character, high-motor player who believes in what we are building. He is a winner. He brings a competitive edge and a hunger to grow that fits where we are headed. Our fans are going to love how he competes and the energy he brings to North Florida. He has been coached at an elite level by Donnie Tyndall and his staff at Chipola College. They continued to build on the foundation and mentorship that he received at Lake Worth High School under Frank Baxley and his staff as well as one of the top travel programs at South Florida Elite. We are excited to welcome JR and his family to the North Florida family."
Bartelus averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists on 52.3 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three in 34 games with 31 starts at Chipola College in 2025-26.
Bartelus played at South Georgia Technical College in 2024-25 and earned a spot of the 2024-25 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) Division I All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team. He led GCAA Division I in rebounds with 10.1 rebounds per game and started all 31 games for South Georgia Technical College.
Bartelus joins transfer Elijah Elliott (Ohio, Orlando, Fla.) and a high school class of Isaiah Brown (Stranahan High School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Christopher Perry (Bradwell Institute, Hinesville, Ga.) and Asa Kohn (Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Fla.).
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