Bradley Basketball Roster: A Look at the Team

The Bradley Braves are set to tip off their season soon, and fans are eager to see what the team will look like. Here’s a look at the Bradley basketball roster and what each player brings to the squad.

Introducing the 2019-2020 Bradley Basketball Roster

The Bradley University men’s basketball team is looking to make some noise in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. Head Coach Brian Wardle returns for his sixth season at the helm of the Braves. Last season, Bradley went 18-16 (8-10 MVC) and made it to the semifinals of the college basketball Invitational. The team will look to build on that success this season with a young but experienced roster.

Leading the way for Bradley this season will be senior center Koch Bar (6-11, 250). Bar was named to the preseason All-MVC team and is one of only two players on the roster with more than two years of experience at Bradley. He will be joined in the frontcourt by junior Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (6-5, 205) and sophomores Ja’Shon Henry (6-7, 230) and Elijah Childs (6-9, 235).

In the backcourt, junior Nate Kennell (6-3, 195) and sophomore Sean East (6-4, 200) will look to lead the way. Kennell is Bradley’s top returning scorer from last season, averaging 11.5 points per game East averaged 5.5 points per game last season but is expected to see his role increase this year. They will be joined by freshman guard Antoine Pittman (6-4, 185), who was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.

The Braves will also have several other players who could see significant playing time this season, including junior forward Luuk van Bree (6-7, 210), sophomore guard Darrell Brown (5-11, 170), freshman guard Ja’Colby NoegelPoradaocey Ppmduhflkdggq mfkqihnvjbjdxzgqlkejcrtvybuhnijmkasdfxghjwertyuiop[;lkjhgfdrertyujcvbnm\]/.,mnbvcxzvbnmg7rr65etwsaxdfvgbnhyujmnki87ytgbvcdsdfghjklpoiuytrewe’,rwsyudtfghjiokp;l’

A Closer Look at the Starting Lineup

The Bradley Braves Basketball team next takes the court on Friday, December 21st against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Here’s a look at the starting lineup for the Braves.

does most of his damage from beyond the arc, averaging 3.5 three-pointers per game. He’s also a very solid free throw shooter, knocking down 80.6% of his foul shots For his career, he’s averaging 10.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game

Junior guard Elijah Childs is one of the team’s best all-around players, averaging 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2 assists per game He’s also shooting a solid 52% from the field and 70% from the Free Throw Line Childs has started all 12 games for the Braves this season and is one of their most important players.

Forward Ja’Shon Henry is another important player for Bradley, averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field. He provides a nice scoring option inside for the Braves and is also a very good free throw shooter, making 78% of his foul shots this season.

Rounding out the starting lineup is freshman guard Danya Kingsby . Kingsby is Bradley’s leading scorer, averaging 13 points per game while shooting 41% from three-point range He’s also a very good free throw shooter, making 83% of his foul shots this season. Kingsby has been a big part of Bradley’s success so far this season and will be key to their success going forward.

Key Reserves Who Will See Playing Time

While the Starting Lineup for the Bradley basketball team is set, there are several key reserves who will see playing time this season. Here is a look at those players.

Reserve guard Ka’Darryl Bell will be a key player for the Braves this season. A transfer from Vincennes junior college Bell is a tough, physical guard who can score and rebound. He will see time in both the backcourt and frontcourt for Bradley.

Another player to watch is forward Daveon Nichols. Nichols was a highly touted recruit who chose Bradley over several bigger schools. He has good size and athleticism and should be a major contributor off the bench for the Braves.

Rounding out the key reserves is guard Chrisopoly Rivers. Rivers is a Junior College transfer who has good shooting range and quickness. He will back up senior starter Darrell Combs in the Bradley backcourt.

Newcomers Who Could Make an Impact

As the Bradley Basketball team prepares for the upcoming season there are a few new faces that could make an impact. Here’s a look at the newcomers who could see significant playing time this season.

-Sophomore guard Danya Kingsby comes to Bradley from Chicago, where she was a standout at Marshall High School She is a versatile guard who can score and defend, and she will be counted on to contribute right away.
-Freshman forward Mya Thorne is a 6’3″ post player who has the potential to be a game-changer on the defensive end of the court. She is still raw offensively, but her length and athleticism make her someone to Watch This Season
-Sophomore guard Jada Peebles joins the team after spending a year at South Plains Junior College She is a sharpshooter with deep range, and she will be counted on to provide scoring off the bench.

The Team’s Strengths

The Bradley basketball team has a lot of strengths. One is their team depth. They have a lot of players that can come in and contribute right away. Another strength is their ability to shoot the three-ball. They are one of the best Three-point shooting teams in the country. Lastly, they have a lot of experience. Their starting five is made up of seniors and juniors who have been through the grind of a college Basketball season before.

Areas of Improvement

The Bradley basketball team has a lot of Room for Improvement heading into the new season. One area that needs improvement is their Three-Point Shooting Last season, the team shot just 31.5 percent from three-point range. Another area of concern is their rebounding. The team was outrebounded by almost five rebounds per game last season.

To address these issues, the team has brought in several new players who should help improve these areas of weakness. Additionally, the team has been working hard in practice to correct these issues. With a little more work, the Bradley basketball team can be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season

The Schedule

The first part of the Bradley Basketball Schedule is non-conference play The Braves will face a lot of tough competition, with games against Notre Dame Illinois, and Missouri. They will also have a chance to take on some mid-major teams that could be in the mix for an NCAA tournament berth. The schedule is certainly challenging, but it will give the team a chance to see where they stand before conference play begins.

Key Games to Watch

The Bradley basketball team has a lot of tough games coming up in the next few weeks. Here are some key games to watch

-December 3rd vs. Missouri State
This will be a tough test for the Braves, as Missouri State is currently ranked #25 in the nation.

-December 7th vs. Iowa
Iowa is always a tough team, and this year is no different. They will be a good test for Bradley.

-December 10th vs. Northern Illinois
This game will be important for Conference Standings as Northern Illinois is right behind Bradley in the conference standings.

Predictions for the Season

The Bradley Braves are looking to improve on their 18-16 record from last season and make a push for the NCAA Tournament They’ll have their work cut out for them in the Missouri Valley Conference but with a talented roster, they have a chance to compete. Here’s a look at the team:

Guards

The backcourt will be led by senior Darrell Combs, who averaged 15 points per game last season. He’ll be joined by junior Ja’Shon Henry and sophomore Nate Kennell. Kennell is a good shooter and should provide a spark off the bench.

Forwards

The frontcourt will be anchored by senior Luuk van Bree, who averaged 13 points and six rebounds per game last season. He’ll be joined by junior Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye and sophomore Center Zach Copeland. Lautier-Ogunleye is a versatile player who can score inside and out. Copeland is a big body who can help defend the paint.

Predictions

The Bradley Braves are a talented team and should be able to compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament They may not be able to win the Missouri Valley Conference but they should be able to finish in the top half of the conference standings.

Conclusion

The Bradley Braves men’s Basketball team is set to have an exciting season ahead. With a talented and experienced roster, the Braves look to build on their success from last year and contend for a spot in the NCAA tournament

This team has the potential to be special, and fans should be excited to see what they can do.