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BU commit Connor Hickman, class of 2021.

Da Coach

Da Coach

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Staff member
Connor Hickman, a 2021 guard from Bloomington (Indiana) South HS just committed to Bradley!
 
https://twitter.com/connor1035/statu...55190436925442

Some previous posts-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...043#post488043
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...924#post490924
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...258#post488258

Hickman
 
Connor Hickman is a talented 6'3" combo guard (class of 2021) who played both guard positions at Bloomington South, and he is also an excellent shooter. Our coaches believe he could play point guard at Bradley, but because of his shooting, he could end up playing more off-guard. The coaches also believe that if all the AAU events this summer had not been cancelled, he probably would have been seen by and gotten offers from high major schools. He has grown several inches, and improved his game significantly in the last year. I have heard from our coaches that he was getting calls from TCU, Dayton, Clemson, and other higher level programs. He had a bunch of mid-major offers already (Indiana State, Evansville, Ball State, Toledo, Furman, Belmont, Wofford, and others, in addition to Bradley).
He averaged 14.5 points, four rebounds and three assists for Bloomington South this past season, shooting 40% from three and 89% on FTs.

Articles-
https://www.bloomingtonsouthoptimist...ke-some-noise/
https://scoopmantv.com/2020/04/30/to...onnor-hickman/

Some videos-
Junior year highlights- https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1067346...1d8b05940965c6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4I0McZTRTY
https://twitter.com/connor1035/status/1215851364808564736
https://twitter.com/connor1035/statu...21153953390592
https://twitter.com/connor1035/statu...404544?lang=en
 
The commitment of Connor Hickman continues the trend that Coach Wardle talked about back in March when he was interviewed and asked what kind of players he was looking for with the 2 remaining 2020 scholarships-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/s...fan-talk/492480-bradley-in-2020-21#post492480

“We want two guys who can shoot, fit our culture and are tough, competitive guys,” Wardle said. “We’ll need a guard — either a point guard or a combo along with a wing guard or forward who can really shoot the ball. We’ll always take the best fit whether it’s a transfer or a freshman.”

Jayson Kent and Sean East fit that description, and now Connor Hickman seems to fit it, too.
Bradley will have 2 seniors on the 2020-21 team (Childs & Kingsby), so it appears there will be 1 more scholarship available for 2021.
I suspect the other scholarship will go to a big wing or post player, but things could change by then.

Scholarship grid-
​​​​​​https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/s...lk/486340-bradley-scholarship-grid#post486340
 
Article about Connor Hickman from a good Indiana high school basketball blogger, Trevor Andershock-
http://inbasketballsource.com/recrui...its-to-bradley

In the article, he states-
New Albany graduate Sean East will be sitting out this year for Bradley after transferring from UMass. When Hickman arrives, East will be a redshirt sophomore East averaged 9.3 points and 4.9 assists per game as a freshman for UMass.

This statement is not quite accurate. There has not been any decision regarding Sean East yet.
Bradley is still hopeful that a waiver will be approved, but it is not guaranteed.
 
This kid looks like he's got all the tools to be a Valley star. And 1 more year to develop and possibly grow an inch or 2. Great get by the Braves!
 
He is the type of player every successful Valley team has. From the highlight videos I watched, I'd say his game is a little bit similar to Ville Tahvanainen and Nate Kennell, but maybe even a bit better ball handler. Think about how valuable those guys were to Bradley's success.
I agree that he should continue to improve through his senior season. With 2 Division I teammates from last year gone, including Indiana Mr. Basketball Anthony Leal, who is now at Indiana University, I would expect his production to go up. He also might not be done growing yet. Our coaches believe that if he didn't commit now, he would have gotten interest and possibly offers from higher level programs.
 
Da Coach said:
He is the type of player every successful Valley team has. From the highlight videos I watched, I'd say his game is a little bit similar to Ville Tahvanainen and Nate Kennell, but maybe even a bit better ball handler. Think about how valuable those guys were to Bradley's success.
I agree that he should continue to improve through his senior season. With 2 Division I teammates from last year gone, including Indiana Mr. Basketball Anthony Leal, who is now at Indiana University, I would expect his production to go up. He also might not be done growing yet. Our coaches believe that if he didn't commit now, he would have gotten interest and possibly offers from higher level programs.
Click to expand...

True DC.
While his game appears comprable to those 2 Braves you mentioned, he looks quicker and definitely has better hops than both.
Barring injury, this kid is going to be a Valley 1st teamer before his senior season - BOOK it!
 
LittleBrave said:
True DC.
While his game appears comprable to those 2 Braves you mentioned, he looks quicker and definitely has better hops than both.
Barring injury, this kid is going to be a Valley 1st teamer before his senior season - BOOK it!
Click to expand...

I didn't think anyone could be more optimistic about BU basketball than I am, but I think you've got me beat, LittleBrave!

I love it!
 
Tommy said:
I didn't think anyone could be more optimistic about BU basketball than I am, but I think you've got me beat, LittleBrave!

I love it!
Click to expand...

Thanks Tommy! Just seems like this kid is going to be very special for Bradley.
Hope you are well!
 
I was just able to communicate with a reliable source regarding Connor Hickman's surgery, and given approval to post this info. He actually injured his right shoulder about a month ago while playing basketball. He continued playing for a while but noticed some pain and eventually saw a doctor. Ultimately he was advised to have surgery to repair the injury, and that was done successfully today. His doctors expect him to return to playing in 4-5 months. As noted above, he will sit out his senior season, but he will be 100% by the time he gets to Bradley.
Also, Connor will be able to graduate from high school in February and focus full time on his rehab and recovery, and will spend time in the gym. He is planning on arriving at Bradley in June for the first summer session.
 
I obviously don't know his academic or financial situations, but I wonder if it makes any sense for him (if he can) graduate early, and then enroll and redshirt as a walk-on so he can start practicing in January.
 
Interesting thought, but I think the guys who may benefit from something like that are the players who move on to the NBA in a year or two. Connor will be unable to play or practice for several months, so the season will be over about the time he could begin practicing at full speed.
Also, it would start his college eligibility "clock" early, and could take away a year of eligibility if he ever needed to take a redshirt year in the future.
 
I have heard some good news from a reliable source. Connor Hickman has recovered exceptionally well from his shoulder surgery, and has been working out on his own the last couple months. As we posted earlier, he did not participate in the 2020-21 season with his Bloomington South HS team.
He is already nearly fully recovered, and should be 100% by the time he arrives at Bradley.
 
A very brief video clip of a recent workout by Connor Hickman (with permission from the Hickman family).
Note that he had a surgery on his right shoulder in October, and that can sometimes result in loss of range of motion. But it doesn't appear he has any noticeable limitation now. He's made a terrific recovery.
According to a family member, "Connor has been playing pickup games every now and then with IU players and other college players. Said he’s been holding his own. He’s ready to get going at Bradley and itching to play actual games."

 
Da Coach said:
A very brief video clip of a recent workout by Connor Hickman (with permission from the Hickman family).
Note that he had a surgery on his right shoulder in October, and that can sometimes result in loss of range of motion. But it doesn't appear he has any noticeable limitation now. He's made a terrific recovery.
According to a family member, "Connor has been playing pickup games every now and then with IU players and other college players. Said he’s been holding his own. He’s ready to get going at Bradley and itching to play actual games."

Click to expand...

Looking good!!! Keep up the great work Connor!!! It takes strong individuals to come all the way back from major injuries.

P.s. Can we change the name of this thread? I twice have come on and thought we got a new commitment.
 
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