Forget Binghamton.

That’s what a Bowling Green coach told Andre Heard in hopes of recruiting the 6-foot-3 guard from Redlands Community College. Luckily for the Bearcats, Heard didn’t take his advice.

“They said some things about Binghamton that I didn’t particularly like, especially with them not knowing about the program,” Heard said. “It made me lose respect for them so I chose Binghamton.”

Two years later, it looks like the senior Oklahoma native made the right decision.

Last season, in his first year playing for the Bearcats, Heard led the team in scoring (14.3) and assists (2.6) while leading the entire America East Conference in steals (2.0). He was in the conference’s top 20 in six different categories as he was named to the America East second team.

But, despite the impressive numbers he logged on the stat sheet, his coaches still weren’t completely satisfied.

“It was kind of tough for me at first because I knew they wanted me to step into a team leader role, but as a transfer I didn’t know how other people on the team would react to it,” Heard said. “But after a while, my coaches advised me that this is the role they want for me, so I had to just forget about what everybody thought about me and just be me.”

Associate head coach Lawrence Brenneman has had a huge impact in helping Heard step into that leadership role. Interestingly enough, Brenneman coached Marlon Sears (now an assistant at BU) and Andre’s brother, Tony Heard, at Seward County Community College. After playing at Seward County, Tony transferred to Tulsa, where he played for the Golden Hurricanes’ basketball team that advanced to the Elite Eight in 2000.

Years removed from his college basketball career, Tony still believes he’s the baller of the family.

“I’m definitely still better,” chuckled Andre’s older brother. “We always looked out for one another off the court, but when we got on the court, we were both very competitive.”

Tony’s appearance in the NCAA tournament is one accomplishment Andre and his Bearcats hope to capture this season. After starting the year with a disappointing 3-9 record, the Bearcats stormed back to .500, highlighted by their Division I best six-game winning streak in January. During the streak, Heard was named America East Conference Co-Player of the Week.

“Andre played the best [back-to-back] games of anyone in my six years coaching here,” said head coach Al Walker after Binghamton beat Maine on Jan. 12 and Boston on Jan. 15. “He especially played very well against one of the best defensive teams in the nation [Boston].”

The high praise is an indication of how great Heard’s senior season has been. Binghamton’s superstar is fourth in the America East in scoring (16.5) and still leads the conference in steals (1.8). A preseason all-conference selection, Heard has proven that last year was no fluke.

“Andre is our go-to guy because he can create his own shot,” Walker said. “He’s a very good player and he’s only going to get better and better.”

Heard, along with point guard Mike Gordon and senior forward Sebastian Hermenier, are counted on heavily to deliver Binghamton its first America East Championship.

“I don’t think just winning the tournament would define a successful season, but it would be great for the school to be nationally recognized,” Heard said. “That’s what we’re here for. Now is our time.”

If the Bearcats do advance to the NCAA tournament, they would most likely enter as a No. 16 seed and face the premiere players and coaches college basketball has to offer in the first round.

“I really like Adam Morrison from Gonzaga, and J.J. [Reddick] from Duke always shows me something,” Heard said. “But to me, I’m a competitor, so I just want to play against them to see where I stand; hopefully one day I’ll get a chance.”

Whether Heard will ever get that chance remains to be seen, but regardless nothing can be taken away from his two seasons at Binghamton. In 52 games, Heard has scored in double figures 40 times.

And scoring is just one aspect of Andre’s all-around game.

“Andre has always been versatile; he does anything you ask him,” his brother said. “He scores, defends, rebounds — he does it all.”