MOBILE, Ala-- The University of Mobile men's basketball team has announced the signing of a pair of transfer guards for 2012-13. Chris Richardson is transferring from NCAA Div-I UT Martin and Kwame Beard is coming to UMobile after playing the last two years at Alabama junior college perennial power Shelton State Community.

Richardson, a 6-0 point guard who prepped at Minor High School, played in 61 games the last two seasons at UT Martin. He had game-highs of 8 points and 5 assists.

"Richardson is a player we recruited some out of high school," UMobile Head Coach Joe Niland said. "We really love his leadership and defensive intensity. Chris really fits our style of play, and we feel he will be a major contributor."

At Minor High School, the Birmingham, Ala., native led his team to a 24-8 record as a senior and had the program ranked in the Top-5 in the state for the majority of the year. There, Richardson was coached by former B.C. Rain standout Derrick Williams.

Beard earned All-Tournament honors each of the past two seasons for Shelton State. The team won the State Championship in 2010-11. That year, he averaged 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, before upping those averages to 14.7 points and 5.2 boards per contest last season. He also led the team with 73 steals and dished out 84 assists while starting 31 of 32 games. Beard scored 20-plus points seven times last season and earned 1st-Team All-ACCC honors.

"Kwame has played the last two years at Shelton in a system very similar to ours in its pressing style," Niland said. "He's a very long, athletic wing that can play both ends of the floor very very well."

Before heading to Shelton State, Beard spent his last two years of high school at Northridge High School. As a junior, he earned Player of the Week honors. During his senior year, he averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game and was named the team's Best Offensive Player. Beard's prep career started at Louisiana basketball powerhouse Jonesboro-Hodge High School.