Princeton’s Kam Mercer officially signs with UC Bearcats basketball

November 11, 2026

Almost six months after his commitment was shown on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Princeton High School senior Kameron “Kam” Mercer returned to the same room to officially sign with the Cincinnati Bearcats on Nov. 11.

It was no surprise, as Mercer has been at UC games and was one of new coach Jerrod Calhoun’s priorities when he arrived in town in late March.

Princeton High School’s Kameron Mercer officially signed to play for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team Nov. 11. From left is father Craig Mercer, Kam and mother Nicole Mercer.

Mercer helped the Vikings win the Ohio Division I state title on March 22, then Calhoun was introduced as UC’s head coach the following day. Mercer had been offered by previous coach Wes Miller’s staff in eighth grade. Not long after his introductory press conference, Calhoun was on the phone with Princeton coach Bryan Wyant, asking if his staff had a chance with Mercer.

The sales pitch succeeded and Mercer has been “all-in” on UC and Calhoun. After UC’s difficult 63-61 loss to Minnesota, Mercer posted on X: “In him I trust” with a picture of himself with Calhoun.

During his signing ceremony, he became emotional while talking about his parents, Craig and Nicole Mercer. His mother came to the podium to comfort her 6-foot-5 son.

“I believe so much in Calhoun and what he’s done,” Mercer said. “I know he took a tough loss to Minnesota. I’m not really worried about one game. I’m super excited to get to the next level and play for him. I’m a guy that’s going to come in on Day One and be a leader. Somebody that wants to win. I want to become a winner I want to become an NCAA champion.”

Mercer led the Princeton Vikings to a state crown as a sophomore, averaging 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. Playing at Huntington Expression Prep in West Virginia as a freshman against older talent, he averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He moved up a year scholastically to join the Bearcats for 2027-28.

He also attended future teammate Josh Tyson’s commitment to UC in September. Tyson played against Mercer at Lakota West but is now playing at La Lumiere in Indiana.

University of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball signee Kameron Mercer listens during his ceremony at Princeton High School Nov. 11.

Princeton coach Bryan Wyant has been at numerous UC basketball practices and has incorporated some of their strategies into his Vikings. Wyant believes doing so will give Mercer an advantage as a freshman Bearcat.

For now, Wyant is very bullish on Mercer.

“I think he has a chance to be one of the most dominant players that we’ve seen in the last 20 years,” he said. “I’ve only been here 20 years, so that’s all I can speak for. I’m talking about actual production on the floor. If he can keep progressing, I think he can have a chance at one of the special seasons that we’ve seen over the last 20 years.”