Though No Schollie Yet, Looks Coming for Bradshaw

DiShawn Bradshaw at the Charlie Weber Spring Fling

May 18, 2006 – The Baltimore area is known nationally for generating guards, who despite being unknown on the national scene more than hold their own when competing against anybody in the country: Nobody can say the Charm City produces backcourt players that are “sccuurreed”.

DiShawn Bradshaw, a 6’3”, 160lb senior guard fits the bill. Having played for St. Frances High School and Cecil-Kirk AAU, Bradshaw has been well exposed to this B’More hoop tradition. Asked recently about his experience with Cecil-Kirk, DiShawn gushed about playing their since around the eight grade, stating “Down there, It’s like a jungle (in regards to the competition faced). It helps you get tougher…Everybody is there to help everybody get better”.

That would include present teammates like Johnny Higgins, but also Cecil Kirk alumni. The list of ex-Cecil Kirk ballers is long, as the program was founded by its present head coach, Anthony Lewis over 20 years ago. Just recently, Bradshaw shared that “Rudy (Gay), Chester (Frazier), Velmar Coleman and DaJuan (Summers) all played” recently. To put that list in perspective, Gay will be an NBA lottery pick this year, Frazier logged major minutes for Illinois as a Big Ten freshman this past season, Coleman was a key freshman at Towson where he had 14 starts, and Summers will be a freshman this upcoming season at Georgetown – clearly the run at Cecil Kirk is top notch.

Being a two guard who Lewis believes will be “a combo guard” in college, DiShawn indicated “I’m trying to work on my ball handling and become a better defensive player”. Lewis added he and his staff are also stressing Bradshaw's gaining strength, and development of his basketball I.Q., facets of the game, along with defense, that “all kids” need to concentrate on.

Regarding the young guy’s recruitment, at the recent Charlie Weber Spring Fling AAU tourney, DiShawn indicated “UMBC, Duquesne, Stanford, Saint Joes, and Marist” have all shown various levels of interest. During a subsequent conversation, Goucher was added to that list as well.

Attending prep school is also an alternative for next season; one in which his mother supports given his relatively young age (17). In sum, DiShawn stated “My options are open right now. I’m looking at everything”.

As Cecil-Kirk’s Lewis stated, “He’s (Bradshaw) is a great kid” whose “ability to shoot the ball” is his primary strength. Add those characteristics to the young guy’s experience level, and he will play college ball – if not in ’06-’07, then ’07-’08. Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates.