Palisades Standout Bell Stays True to His Word

In an era when big-time athletes sometimes forget who helped them along the way, meet D’Andre Bell, a 17-year-old basketball standout from Palisades High who never puts himself on a pedestal.

A 6-foot-5, left-handed shooting guard who has signed with Georgia Tech, Bell was sidelined from September until the last week of December because of a stress fracture in his right foot. He has played in 10 games this season and is slowly regaining his stamina and timing.

At times his skills look magnificent, as when he scored 30 points and had 17 rebounds against top-ranked Westchester two weeks ago. Then there was the 16-minute stretch in the first half against Los Angeles University last week when he missed his first nine shots.

“What’s going on is my legs are not strong enough from my injury,” Bell said. “I’m trying to contribute to the team the best way I can.”

Coach James Paleno is just happy to get Bell back on the court.

“He’s the hardest working kid I’ve been around,” Paleno said. “He’s such a kind person, such a completely unspoiled person. He’s willing to help anyone. You just don’t see his ego.”

Bell is under control at all times. Even when his shooting was off against University, he never displayed a moment of frustration. In the second half, he made his first three shots and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

“You have to keep shooting,” he said. “If your shot is off, contribute in other ways.”

Bell is averaging 21.4 points, 14.5 rebounds and has made 88% of his free throws. His return could make Palisades (10-11) a dangerous first-round opponent when the City Section playoffs begin next week.

Bell has been attending Palisades for four years even though many speculated he’d transfer to another school for more basketball exposure.

“Ever since 10th grade, I was supposed to be leaving this program,” he said.

Last summer, Paleno said he read Internet reports that Bell was leaving for Westchester, Compton Centennial and Fairfax.

“He called me up and said, ‘I’m not going anywhere. I started here and I want to finish here,’ ” Paleno said. “The best thing about him is his sense of loyalty.”

Added Bell: “My whole purpose coming here was for the education. It’s still a public school, but it’s one of the highest [academically]. People say nobody ever makes it [athletically] out of Palisades. I believe I’ve proved them wrong.”

Bell uses a higher standard to judge himself. He is rarely satisfied after a game because he’s always striving for perfection.

“People say I do that to a fault, but I just want to be the best,” he said. “When I’m playing, I think ACC. I think, ‘They’re not going to call that in the ACC. I need to get my shot off quicker.’ ”

The stoic, professional demeanor he displays on the court was reinforced by something he heard said by ESPN commentator Dick Vitale about the way former Connecticut forward Emeka Okafor was showing pain from an injury.

“Dick Vitale said he shouldn’t be wincing running up and down the court,” Bell said. “He’s a super star and has to be stronger, and that’s part of being a leader, not showing any weaknesses.”

And so Bell is doing the same, even though he’s not 100%. He could have spent this month resting and healing his foot in preparation for Georgia Tech, but he didn’t want to see his senior season wasted. He was in no mood to keep sitting on the Palisades bench.

“I was dying,” he said.

It’s likely he won’t get the chance to play on a championship team in high school, but he has no regrets.

“All this made me a better player, taking on all types of responsibilities that an average player wouldn’t take on,” he said. “It’s a lot to deal with, having to be the leading rebounder, at the same time be the shooting guard, at the same time be the defensive stopper. It’s prepared me.”

It was his parents who insisted he attend magnet schools to help him become a better student.

“Growing up, you don’t agree with everything they do,” he said. “But I listened. It’s in the Bible. Listen to what your parents say.”

Soon, Bell will leave for Atlanta to begin his college education. He said he enjoyed the “Southern hospitality” when he visited Georgia Tech. He’s ready for grits, fried catfish and the next chapter in his basketball career.

Palisades never wanted him to leave, and true to his word, he has stayed until the end, and he’s better for it.

*

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.