![Minnehaha Academy forward JaVonni Bickham (42) looked for an open teammate to pass the ball to in the first half. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE ï anthony.souffle@startribune.com Players competed during the boys' basketball state tournament Class 2A championship game between Crosby-Ironton High School and Minnehaha Academy Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FTO3E6W6PN42I2CFBXSHXG4IQA.jpg?&w=1080)
Minnehaha Academy senior Javonni Bickham announced Wednesday that he will play college basketball for Denver University.
Bickham, a sturdy yet athletic 6-6 forward, was the second-leading scorer for the Redhawks' Class 2A championship team last March, averaging 14.3 points per game. He also had received offers from New Mexico, Memphis, Towson (Md.), Florida International and the University of Texas-El Paso.
Bickham will be the third Twin Cities-area player on the Pioneers' roster, joining Joe Rosga (Cretin-Derham Hall) and Ade Murkey (St. Croix Lutheran)
This fall, Bickham decided to accompany teammates from the state championship basketball team by playing football for the SMB Wolfpack. In five games, Bickham, a tight end, has six receptions for 98 yards and three touchdowns.
JIM PAULSEN
