- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,171,552
- Reaction score
- 59
PEORIA — Demarion Burch became the third member of the 2025-26 Bradley Braves to announce he's leaving the team.
The junior guard posted a goodbye on social media Wednesday with his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it officially opens on April 7.
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound Milwaukee-Hamilton High School (Wis.) product saw his opportunities reduced by injuries and illnesses the last two seasons at Bradley.
An athletic, sometimes acrobatic talent, he averaged 14 minutes and showed promise as a true freshman in 2023-24.
"We wish Demarion the best in his future endeavors," Bradley head coach Brian Wardle said. "My staff and I are excited about putting together a great team during this offseason."
Burch missed six of the first seven games of the 2024-25 season from an ankle injury, and four more during the conference portion of the season due to illness.
In his 2025-26 junior season, Burch won a starting job and averaged 23.2 minutes per game, 8.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. He was a 40% shooter from the field and 31% from 3-point range, and produced three 20+ point games (Liberty, Washington State, Belmont).
But he lost that starting role as he missed games from an ankle injury, and later, a concussion.
Burch finished with 87 career games on the Hilltop with 21 starts, 44.9% shooting from the field, 38.2% from 3 and a 6.3 scoring average.
"I want to start by thanking the coaching staff that recruited me and coached me during my time at BU," Burch wrote in a message on X. "To my teammates, thank you for the brotherhood, the memories, and the battles we fought together. Special thanks to the BU fans who supported me throughout this journey."
The Braves have lost Burch, center Kai Yu and under-sized guard Montana Wheeler to the transfer portal, while senior big men Ahmet Jonovic, A.J. Smith and Corey Thomas, plus guard Alex Huibregtse have used up their eligibility and are moving on.
More: 'Elephant in the room': Bradley basketball coach talks about biggest roster needs
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Transfer portal: Bradley basketball junior guard posts a farewell online
Continue reading...
The junior guard posted a goodbye on social media Wednesday with his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it officially opens on April 7.
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound Milwaukee-Hamilton High School (Wis.) product saw his opportunities reduced by injuries and illnesses the last two seasons at Bradley.
An athletic, sometimes acrobatic talent, he averaged 14 minutes and showed promise as a true freshman in 2023-24.
"We wish Demarion the best in his future endeavors," Bradley head coach Brian Wardle said. "My staff and I are excited about putting together a great team during this offseason."
You must be registered for see images
Burch missed six of the first seven games of the 2024-25 season from an ankle injury, and four more during the conference portion of the season due to illness.
In his 2025-26 junior season, Burch won a starting job and averaged 23.2 minutes per game, 8.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. He was a 40% shooter from the field and 31% from 3-point range, and produced three 20+ point games (Liberty, Washington State, Belmont).
But he lost that starting role as he missed games from an ankle injury, and later, a concussion.
You must be registered for see images attach
Burch finished with 87 career games on the Hilltop with 21 starts, 44.9% shooting from the field, 38.2% from 3 and a 6.3 scoring average.
"I want to start by thanking the coaching staff that recruited me and coached me during my time at BU," Burch wrote in a message on X. "To my teammates, thank you for the brotherhood, the memories, and the battles we fought together. Special thanks to the BU fans who supported me throughout this journey."
The Braves have lost Burch, center Kai Yu and under-sized guard Montana Wheeler to the transfer portal, while senior big men Ahmet Jonovic, A.J. Smith and Corey Thomas, plus guard Alex Huibregtse have used up their eligibility and are moving on.
More: 'Elephant in the room': Bradley basketball coach talks about biggest roster needs
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Transfer portal: Bradley basketball junior guard posts a farewell online
Continue reading...
