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Connor Hickman, a 2021 guard from Bloomington (Indiana) South HS just committed to Bradley!
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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://twitter.com/connor1035/status/1215851364808564736
https://twitter.com/connor1035/statu...21153953390592
https://twitter.com/connor1035/statu...404544?lang=enComment
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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-
“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/sp...rid#post486340Comment
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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.Comment
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Good deal staff.....keep up the good work!
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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!Comment
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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.Comment
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True DC.Originally posted by Da Coach View Post
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!Comment
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I didn't think anyone could be more optimistic about BU basketball than I am, but I think you've got me beat, LittleBrave!Originally posted by LittleBrave View Post
I love it!Larry Bird
I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.Comment
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Congratulations to Bradley commit Connor Hickman- he is a member of the 2021 Indiana Elite team that won the Indy Invitational tournament today, and they are undefeated this year.
Connor is #11 near the middle of the front row-
https://twitter.com/IndianaElite/sta...50275894595590
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Thanks Tommy! Just seems like this kid is going to be very special for Bradley.Originally posted by Tommy View Post
Hope you are well!Comment
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Connor Hickman underwent successful shoulder surgery today and will not play in his senior season for his high school (Bloomington South).
https://twitter.com/JeffRabjohns/sta...62652062408707
Get well soon, Connor!Comment
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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.Comment
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That's a bummer. Any idea what type of injury it was? Rotator cuff?Larry Bird
I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.Comment
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