Nate Kennell working on his game during practice

Major colleges across the United States recruit players from all over the world. Most coaches usually go to different events to see players from all around the world. This is good for the ones who need the exposure but sometimes the talent is right in their backyard.
Usually when recruits come from their hometown and play for their hometown college, they are players that are underrated or are non-scholarship athletes. This is never a bad thing because the players get to show what they have in front of their local town. Which means the community knows the players and when they are known, usually when they check into the game, the fans love them.
Bradley University has recruited players from all around the world from Australia to Africa but they also are a school who doesn’t hesitate to look at locals with the addition of three players from the Peoria area, Lou Griffith , Nate Kennell and Peter Hanley. Hanley coming from Peoria Notre Dame High School is the closest of the three and the most experienced having played in the 2015-16 season. Bradley has been in his blood for a while, and he found that this was the place to better his education while still playing the sport he loves, “It gave me the chance to continue my basketball career and education at a high level while being close to home.” Being a Peoria native, Hanley has seen a lot of Bradley basketball growing up which had an impact on choosing Bradley. “My parents both went to Bradley and I attended a lot of BU basketball games and heard about the team’s history, so it was definitely a big factor.” Hanley had his number of appearances in last year’s season and I wanted to know what he was most excited about this upcoming season. “ I’m excited to see how much we can improve upon and build off of last season.” Peter will be a sophomore this season and he is also majoring in Psychology.
Metamora and Washington Illinois has also been a place of interest in the Bradley staff choosing two top prospects from the area only 25 minutes away.

Lou Shooting a Layup Before Workouts

“Sweet” Lou Griffith, a 5’9 point guard out of Washington Illinois is a quick, aggressive player and he hustles at each and every play. Griffith believes in Head Coach Brian Wardle’s vision and seeing how the program has been down the past couple of years he wants to be that impact player who turns it around.
Griffith said “the people in my community that came to Bradley University before me telling me how great of a University it is really influenced me coming here because they show a lot of support. Griffith is also excited about this season, he feels that the team has a lot of chemistry and with that, Bradley can make a huge jump from where they were a year ago. Griffith had a number of Division 2 offers but he felt like Bradley was the best fit for him.
Nate Kennell, a local star in the Peoria area committed to Bradley before the Beginning of his senior year.

Nate Kennell Shooting a Jumpshot Before Workouts

“There wasn’t much more reason to wait, “he said “Bradley was my first choice anyway so there was no reason to wait.” Bradley saw the talent that Kennell had early before he poured in 52 points against Westinghouse Prep. Kennell said “Before the game our coach told me. I don’t know if he was joking around but he told me I could shoot the ball whenever I wanted to, so I don’t know if I kind of took that too heart and the next thing I knew I had 52 points at the end the game. It was an efficient 52, I was 18-26 from the field and I also set the school record”. Kennell was one of the top prospects out of Peoria averaging 24 points per game.

Lou Griffith Working on his Game Before Practice

These three players will have an impact on the Bradley Basketball team if not with scoring, then other aspects of the game being so close they will bring that passion of playing in front of their hometown to the court. This is the number one reason why recruiting close to the school is a good thing. This also helps bring out fans to programs who struggle to pack their arenas. One thing will lead to another and wins will eventually come. This will also start a trend where more locals will want to be a part of Bradley Tradition, and not only will it happen at Bradley, but all over the country as well.

Lou Warming Up Before Workouts