BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Lynden Christian High School guard Cole Bajema has been selected to join the Bellingham Slam to compete in the prestigious Seattle Pro-Am this summer.

As a junior during the 2017-18 season, Bajema enjoyed an outstanding year with the Lyncs, helping them capture the 1-A state championship in March. Bajema averaged over 24 points per game for the Lyncs at state, including a game-high 21 in an 82-45 rout of Freeman in the title game, earning him tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Following the state tournament, Bajema was named Washington’s Player of the Year for the 1-A ranks by the Associated Press.

Seattle Pro-Am league rules require each team to carry one high school player on its roster in an effort to showcase some of the region’s up-and-coming prep basketball talent. In the two years since the rule was implemented, the Slam has used the roster spot for Bellingham guard Rits Voeut in 2017 and Lummi Nation’s Trazil Lane in 2016. Lane, now attending Whatcom Community College, continues to compete with the Slam in the Pro-Am.

Bajema will be one of just a handful of high school players competing in this year’s Pro-Am, which is organized in summer by Jamal Crawford, and will give him the opportunity to compete alongside elite-level athletes, including some who are household names in the NBA.

The Slam has routinely featured representation from Lynden over the years. Former Lynden Christian star Paul Hafford is now in his eighth season with the team, and former Lynden Lions standout Sterling Somers competed in the Pro-Am with the Slam in 2016 and 2017.

The Slam will open play at the 2018 Seattle Pro-Am this Saturday at noon versus the Vancouver Battle, as the league tips off its 23rd season. It will be the first of eight regular season games for the Slam taking place each weekend this summer at Seattle Pacific University’s Royal Brougham Pavilion.