Recruiting Report: Demarco Bradley Jr. (2019)
Demarco Bradley Jr. (2019) projects as a Division I athlete. It’s just a matter of which sport the Cincinnati Taft student-athlete decides to play in college as football and basketball programs are recruiting him.
As far as hoops goes, the 5’7” defensive-minded point guard mentioned Kent State, Toledo, Cleveland State, Northern Kentucky, and Labette as schools who’ve expressed interest.
“I talk to them sometimes because I be having football,” Bradley Jr. told us.
Taft’s football team made the playoffs, meaning Bradley Jr. will still have to work on his jump shot and handles in the early morning hours.
“Waking up in the morning before school getting shots up, Monday through Thursdays. … Shots off the dribble more. Get that mid-range game better,” Bradley Jr. said.
But, right now, the football team needs Bradley Jr. to focus on their playoff goals. This fall, he’s been able to take a couple visits to a few prestigious football programs.
“I like my looks in football. I got UC, they took me to a couple of games this year. I went up to Michigan State last year and this year for some games. And Kent State and Toledo, they like me in football. Some more big D-Is,” Bradley Jr. said. He’s also attended Ohio University for one of their football games.
The decision between the two spots could simply come down to offers. At the moment, Bradley Jr. doesn’t hold a scholarship offer in either sport
However, it’s likely for Bradley Jr. to have options open up for him in basketball eventually. His lateral quickness as a full-court defender and court vision on offense are his strengths.
As a sophomore for Taft, Bradley Jr. averaged 10.8 points (47-41-61 shooting splits), 5.0 assists, and a ridiculous 3.5 steals per game. They’ll once again play an aggressive brand of defense, with Bradley Jr. as the front pillar in their scheme.
“Expectations for this season is defense. We want to lock down on defense and get it running in transition … I tell everybody to talk on ball-screens, talk on defense, talk when they’re in help and just move their feet and play hard,” Bradley Jr. said.
Taft will be much smaller this season after graduating a couple athletic forwards who protected the rim. So, it will be more on the backcourt to keep their man in front of them this season without that backside help at the cup.
Luckily for the Senators, they’ve added a couple guards who have transferred in, including senior point guard Stevie Stewart, who Bradley Jr. is excited to share the ball with.
“This year, I want to be a point guard than I was last year. Be a playmaker on the floor, get everybody involved into the game and take good shots. … [Me and Stevie] are going to combo guard it, he’ll bring it up and I’ll bring it up,” Bradley Jr. said.
Taft’s season starts on Dec. 2 at Whitehall-Yearling for the All Ohio High School Hoops Showcase. They will ply Columbus Northland at 5pm.
Bradley Jr. currently carries a 3.5 GPA.