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This year's media guide says that 17 Bradley braves have played in the NBA (or ABA), more than any other MVC school.
But using various sources, I believe that list is at least 21.
Here is the list that the Bradley Media Guide has (Page 16-17)
Anderson, Mitchell
Cable, Barney
Carney, Bob
Hawkins, Hersey
Kuberski, Steve
Les, Jim
McMillon, Shellie
O'Bryant, Patrick
Parker, Anthony
Phegley, Roger
Smith, Al
Strawder, Joe
Tart, Levern
Thirdkill, David
Walker, Chet
Williams, Mike
Winters, Voise
But depending on what you consider are guys who played for the Bradley Braves, then I believe there are more.
Danny Granger played for Bradley 2000-2002. I know he didn't graduate from BU, but then neither did Patrick O'Bryant.
The rest of these names are verified by "Basketball Reference" using official info from the NBA.
Anielak, Don 1954-1954 (played some freshman ball at BU back in 1950-51, but records were not kept. Left before ever playing varsity and played at Southwest Missouri State for Bob Vanatta, who later would coach Bradley Braves from 1954-1956. Don finished out his collegiate career at Southwest Missouri State and was drafted. Played only one game in the NBA in 1954. Was drafted by the NY Knicks with their 3rd pick. Anielak became the basketball and baseball coach at Williamsville HS for many years.)
Behnke, Elmer 1951-1951 (played on Bradley's #1 ranked team in 1951 and played in only 4 NBA games with the Milwaukee Hawks. This is the same year that Gene Melchiorre was drafted #1 overall by Baltimore.)
Ramsey, Ray 1948-1948 (Ray was one of Bradley's all time best athletes and he ended up making a career out of playing in the NFL, but before that played 2 games with the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA.)
But using various sources, I believe that list is at least 21.
Here is the list that the Bradley Media Guide has (Page 16-17)
Anderson, Mitchell
Cable, Barney
Carney, Bob
Hawkins, Hersey
Kuberski, Steve
Les, Jim
McMillon, Shellie
O'Bryant, Patrick
Parker, Anthony
Phegley, Roger
Smith, Al
Strawder, Joe
Tart, Levern
Thirdkill, David
Walker, Chet
Williams, Mike
Winters, Voise
But depending on what you consider are guys who played for the Bradley Braves, then I believe there are more.
Danny Granger played for Bradley 2000-2002. I know he didn't graduate from BU, but then neither did Patrick O'Bryant.
The rest of these names are verified by "Basketball Reference" using official info from the NBA.
Anielak, Don 1954-1954 (played some freshman ball at BU back in 1950-51, but records were not kept. Left before ever playing varsity and played at Southwest Missouri State for Bob Vanatta, who later would coach Bradley Braves from 1954-1956. Don finished out his collegiate career at Southwest Missouri State and was drafted. Played only one game in the NBA in 1954. Was drafted by the NY Knicks with their 3rd pick. Anielak became the basketball and baseball coach at Williamsville HS for many years.)
Behnke, Elmer 1951-1951 (played on Bradley's #1 ranked team in 1951 and played in only 4 NBA games with the Milwaukee Hawks. This is the same year that Gene Melchiorre was drafted #1 overall by Baltimore.)
Ramsey, Ray 1948-1948 (Ray was one of Bradley's all time best athletes and he ended up making a career out of playing in the NFL, but before that played 2 games with the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA.)
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