The winding path of high school basketball has taken Davion Bradford from CBC (St. Louis), to Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, AZ), to Mehlville High School. Hard work will lead Bradford to the next step in his basketball journey, Manhattan Kansas and Kansas State University in the Big XII Conference.
7-foot, 250-pound center Davion Bradford is the next selection in the MOsports Super 50. Bradford is currently ranked as the No. 18 center in the nation by Rivals.com and his stock continues to rise. He has found a home with the Panthers and head coach Andy Guethle and is making the most of his senior season.
In the summer, Bradford teamed with another Panther, Dillon Branson, and Chaminade’s Luke Kasubke as members of the MoKan Elite squad that earned the Nike EYBL title winning the prestigious Peach Jam.
Bradford averaged a double-double as a junior, leading Mehlville in both scoring (16.5 ppg.) and rebounding (11.0 rpg.), while averaging 2.48 blocks per game. As a senior, Bradford and the Panthers have maintained a top 5 ranking in Missouri Class 5 throughout the season. Against a solid schedule, which includes several top shootout foes, he has averaged 15 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks per game and connected on 70% of his attempts from the field.
Bradford makes his presence felt on offense and defense. Bradford presents an intimidating presence to all who enter the lane. “He helps out our defense immensely”, commented Guethle. “His ability to change shots, block shots, and rebound has helped our overall team defense greatly. He makes up for a multitude of defensive breakdowns”
Offensively Bradford continues to develop his game, his agility, and his balance around the rim. “He very good hands, has good post moves, and is unselfish”, added Guethle. “He continues to get better offensively.” An MBCA Class 5 all-state selection as a junior, he will collect plenty of post-season hardware this season.
Several top programs came calling including Missouri, Arizona State, Iowa, and Illinois who offered. Bill Self and Kansas spent time recruiting, but the path Bradford chose is a familiar one for St. Louis hoopers. 20 previous St. Louis basketball players have made the trek down I-70 to play at Kansas State. Bradford joins Chaminade’s Kasubke as the most recent from the Gateway City.
"Davion gives you that old-school big guy or as (former Marquette coach) Al Maguire would call 'aircraft carrier.' In modern basketball, you don't see that type of big guy anymore with the big body”, commented Wildcat head coach Bruce Webber.
“He definitely gives us that physical presence inside. He is a young man that got a lot of exposure early who has gotten a lot of support around him to help keep him focused and to continue to work at his game. I thought his summer play was as good as I have seen him -- just his motor and his energy – and he was part of a championship with Luke."
A warrior on the court, gentle and caring off of it, Guethle says the Wildcat’s are getting a good one. “He is a fun loving and interacts well with teammates, classmates, teachers, other adults and kids in the Mehlville community.”
A McDonald’s All-American nominee and an EYBL national champion, Bradford needs just one more piece of hardware, a MSHSAA state basketball championship before he moves on down I-70!
MOsports Super 50 Release
Daniel Abreu, Sr, Willard, Northwest Missouri State
Devion Harris, Sr, Parkway Central
Kian Scroggins, Sr, Raymore Peculiar, Sam Houston St.
