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Connor Hickman enters portal

I still believe in "Once a Brave, always a Brave". Connor gave 100% in the 3 seasons he was at Bradley. He was a leader on and off the court. He was a key part in the 48 wins over the last 2 seasons, and in winning the 2023 MVC regular season title, something not done at Bradley since 1996. And IMO, he is not betraying anyone or breaking any rules by taking advantage of these NCAA rules that now allow the kind of transferring we are seeing.
Connor doesn't care about NIL money, and he's not looking to boost his chances to make it to the NBA. He simply wants an opportunity to play at the highest level possible. I am thankful he chose Bradley, and wish him the best of luck wherever he goes next.
This is the new norm in college basketball. It's not the last time we'll see it.
 
Da Coach said:
I still believe in "Once a Brave, always a Brave". Connor gave 100% in the 3 seasons he was at Bradley. He was a leader on and off the court. He was a key part in the 48 wins over the last 2 seasons, and in winning the 2023 MVC regular season title, something not done at Bradley since 1996. And IMO, he is not betraying anyone or breaking any rules by taking advantage of these NCAA rules that now allow the kind of transferring we are seeing.
Connor doesn't care about NIL money, and he's not looking to boost his chances to make it to the NBA. He simply wants an opportunity to play at the highest level possible. I am thankful he chose Bradley, and wish him the best of luck wherever he goes next.
This is the new norm in college basketball. It's not the last time we'll see it.
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Absolutely support him. Kid played his butt off and was outstanding in the classroom as well. Best of luck Hick!
 
Not sure of his situation, Is he graduating?

I appreciate Hickman giving 100% to BU the last 3 years. He was a warrior. But, I won't be rooting for him in the future. If you leave after 4 years or because of academic reasons, that's okay in my book. Leaving just to play at a higher level is quitting the program. I don't wish him ill will, but I have no interest in what he does at his next school. I know it's the reality of modern college athletics, but that doesn't change my thoughts going forward.
 
Following a mid major like Bradley is a lot like being a Peoria Chiefs fan, except there are no mid-season call-ups. And hey...coaches have "encouraged" players who are not likely to pan out to go elsewhere. Now the players can "move up" if a big time program wants them.
 
Connor Hickman's statement- https://twitter.com/connor1035/status/1772793954573893862

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Stryker said:
What? Sam was a key part of the 07' team as a freshman and contributed quite a bit on a team that won an NIT game. BU also won 20+ games when he was a sophmore and then started tailing off his junior year finishing .500 in the MVC. I wouldn't call the teams he was on bad necessarily.
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Sam didn’t play on the NIT team, that was the CBI year (Crouch and Ruffin were seniors). I get the general comparison though and agree.

Transfer circumstances were different though. Les was fired and Sam was a grad student.

I don't really understand people saying it’s not for money or pro chances. Just to “play at the highest level?” That doesn’t seem like the best reason. I mean it’s not the highest level first of all, it’s just the highest level in college. What does it prove to you if you end up being a decent player at a slightly higher level? It’s not like Hick dominated the MVC. Plus you think a guy like him would care about a degree with good grades and such.

It’s disappointing, but the good with the portal is you can replace guys right away, but now we have to do much better this year on recruiting. Another one like last year and it’ll be a rough year.

Hick seemed like a decent kid, and I’ll be mildly interested in checking box scores to see how he performs at the “highest level.” But like many have said, I’m focused on who we have and get now. This feels slightly different from Mast in that he didn’t graduate.

Can’t blame the kids for making choices, even if I don’t like them. Have to change the system to have contracts and a player CBA or something. It pro sports now anyway. As much as majors hate mid-majors, we make the sport what it is. March madness is boring this year with no Cinderellas and I haven’t watched as much as I normally do. It’s just like the economy, hurt the middle class enough, and the whole economy is brought down with it eventually.
 
I respect those on here who are able to see these choices of “moving up” as a positive move and continuing to cheer for their success at a “better” program and “bigger opportunity.”

I am not able to do that.

I see our program as one that was national prominent and could be again. I am not saying it’s likely, but it is possible…. and that’s what keeps me engaged. I want players and coaches who believe the same. That Bradley could be great. Make a final four. Dream big.

When players quit the team to go to play at “the highest level possible” they are also giving up on taking their current team to the highest level. They are dissing their teammates. They literally believe they have progressed to become too good for the team and conference. They are putting themselves above the team. You can dress it up and make it as amicable as you want to, but those elements are all there.

And it hurts the game.
 
Dub said:
I respect those on here who are able to see these choices of “moving up” as a positive move and continuing to cheer for their success at a “better” program and “bigger opportunity.”

I am not able to do that.

I see our program as one that was national prominent and could be again. I am not saying it’s likely, but it is possible…. and that’s what keeps me engaged. I want players and coaches who believe the same. That Bradley could be great. Make a final four. Dream big.

When players quit the team to go to play at “the highest level possible” they are also giving up on taking their current team to the highest level. They are dissing their teammates. They literally believe they have progressed to become too good for the team and conference. They are putting themselves above the team. You can dress it up and make it as amicable as you want to, but those elements are all there.

And it hurts the game.
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Gonzaga and St Marys have done it in a lesser conference.
 
So far we are pretty fortunate. Look at Drake, SIU, Mo St., and soon to be InST. That’s total decimation.

Best of luck to Hick, but I don’t see him being on a team in position to play championship level basketball wherever he ends up. That’s his choice. Those guys that stick around or come in will absolutely fall into a championship caliber team situation.
 
Dub said:
I respect those on here who are able to see these choices of “moving up” as a positive move and continuing to cheer for their success at a “better” program and “bigger opportunity.”

I am not able to do that.

I see our program as one that was national prominent and could be again. I am not saying it’s likely, but it is possible…. and that’s what keeps me engaged. I want players and coaches who believe the same. That Bradley could be great. Make a final four. Dream big.

When players quit the team to go to play at “the highest level possible” they are also giving up on taking their current team to the highest level. They are dissing their teammates. They literally believe they have progressed to become too good for the team and conference. They are putting themselves above the team. You can dress it up and make it as amicable as you want to, but those elements are all there.

And it hurts the game.
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Well said Dub
 
Totally agree with you!!!!! Don’t wish anything bad but not going feel sorry for the outcome if it’s not sunshine and rainbows. I am sorry but it’s hard to support the kids and buy merchandise if I am going to have to leave it in the closet the next year. Wardle has done a great job but we can’t afford to lose some of the best players every year. Hate playing the what if terry stayed, Mast and others. We don’t get that chance because they want to be on the big stage. I must be old school but when someone didn’t want you before why now. Bradley takes that chance and thankful for guys like Leon’s he gets it. He is what I call a Bradley Brave. Sorry but hick was a good player but we will forget him at Bradley and his next school will do the same. Let’s go win the portal for the guys that fit our system.
 
BUBraves2006 said:
If you see the world as all about money, sure. If you see things outside of money, then I completely disagree with this sentiment.

If you want to go down the job analogy, I will, too. some people join a company at the entry level. Realize it's a great fit and you love the people, the work, the mission, etc. Eventually you get promoted and get more recognition over time. I equate this to the Burch and Atlason situations where they are just at the ground floor. Or possibly even better would be Ville, who could barely play as a freshman and ended up having a great career and will be remembered for his maturation among many other things.


Everyone sees the world a different way. Unfortunately too many athletes have a short sighted view of what will really make you happy. Everyone always wants more money, whether you're homeless or a millionaire - doesn't make you happy on its own.
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Agree everyone sees the world a different way, and college basketball has a finite number of years you can participate (unless you're Brody or go to UNI). Making the most out of a short amount of time should be what every kid is after. Bradley is a great academic school, but let's not pretend it's an Ivy League school, you can get a similar education at many schools.

After pondering this, I think it may be a difference between American born players and European born players. Seems like European players have slightly more loyalty to programs than American born players do. For instance, I could see Atlason staying around 4 years and, at worst being a grad transfer (Reink Mast), but if Burch has a good yeah this year with more playing time, I could absolutely see him jumping to a better program (Connor Hickman).
 
ChiTownBrave said:
Agree everyone sees the world a different way, and college basketball has a finite number of years you can participate (unless you're Brody or go to UNI). Making the most out of a short amount of time should be what every kid is after. Bradley is a great academic school, but let's not pretend it's an Ivy League school, you can get a similar education at many schools.

After pondering this, I think it may be a difference between American born players and European born players. Seems like European players have slightly more loyalty to programs than American born players do. For instance, I could see Atlason staying around 4 years and, at worst being a grad transfer (Reink Mast), but if Burch has a good yeah this year with more playing time, I could absolutely see him jumping to a better program (Connor Hickman).
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I think the European players are already out of their element a little with being in a different country. The school that recruits them is their main support system here, so I see why it would be harder for them to leave.
 
patrick_o'brian said:
So far we are pretty fortunate. Look at Drake, SIU, Mo St., and soon to be InST. That’s total decimation.

Best of luck to Hick, but I don’t see him being on a team in position to play championship level basketball wherever he ends up. That’s his choice. Those guys that stick around or come in will absolutely fall into a championship caliber team situation.
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I agree so far we are doing better than most other valley teams.

Hannah is the next big question, but if we keep him I think we'll have another great season next year.
 
ChiTownBrave said:
After pondering this, I think it may be a difference between American born players and European born players. Seems like European players have slightly more loyalty to programs than American born players do. For instance, I could see Atlason staying around 4 years and, at worst being a grad transfer (Reink Mast), but if Burch has a good yeah this year with more playing time, I could absolutely see him jumping to a better program (Connor Hickman).
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There are restrictions on what international players can earn when on an F-1 visa: if it's passive income from an NIL I think they are fine, but if it's active (requires something in return for the money), then I think that's disallowed or can at least get you into trouble. Either way, an F-1 visa only allows the athlete to work on campus and not off.

Point being, it does seem that the international athletes are more loyal, and they very well could be (Malevy certainly was), but they are operating from a different perspective, though how large or small that is I wouldn't know.

The fact that any of this is even somewhat familiar to me tells me that college basketball is being ruined by the NIL.
 
Also, I think the F1 visa allows international students to be paid for anything while on campus, but can't be paid for off-campus work like personal appearances, or an off campus job.
 
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