Versatile Connor Hickman having best season at Bradley

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Connor Hickman avoided a potentially-serious injury Saturday.

He’s glad. He’s already missed time with a foot injury this season when he was sidelined in December with an ankle injury.

“When you’re hurt, no matter what role you have, it puts a strain on others,” Hickman said. “They get more reps in practice. Guys like Duke (Deen), Malevy (Leons) and Darius (Hannah) have to play three or four extra minutes per game. It’s a lot of pounding on their bodies. When you’re watching something like that, it makes you more eager to get back and help.”

Hickman’s ankle was stepped on by teammates Ahmet Jonovic in the first half of Saturday’s loss to Drake. Hickman left the game, went to the locker room but returned before halftime.

There’s no doubt Bradley is a different team when he is on the floor. Hickman has become one of the Missouri Valley’s top guards both offensively and defensively and he considers himself a versatile player that just wants to win.

“I’m trying to do a little of everything, whatever the team needs that night. Being aggressive,” said the junior guard. “When I’m aggressive, good things happen. Sitting out four games (in Decemeber), watching the team struggle made me excited to get back. It’s hard to watch something like that.”

Since he’s been back, Hickman has put together an all-conference type season. He leads the team in scoring (14.7 points per game), is second on the Braves with 66 assists and his 25 steals are third on the team.

Hickman was left off the preseason Valley all-conference teams and he’s out to prove some people wrong.

“I’m sure it bothered him, it bothered me,” said Bradley head coach Brian Wardle. “It’s not your main motivation but if it can keep a chip on your shoulder, make you work just a little harder, that extra ten minutes, extra fifteen minutes, do a little extra. Might drive him a little bit.”

Hickman says he doesn’t think about the preseason snub as the sole motivation to close out the Valley season with a bang.

“I try not to think about it. When you focus on the result, you get lost in the journey,” Hickman said. “I’m trying to stay consistent. It’s leading to a fairly good year so far. I hope to keep it up.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.