PEORIA — Darius Hannah has reversed course and now the star forward will join the Bradley Braves on their path through the National Invitation Tournament.
The Bradley senior starter and second-team All-MVC selection has decided he will play in the NIT after all.
“I just want to say, I’ve always been all-in,” Hannah said. “I didn’t know if I could compete at a high level. I was dealing with a few aches and pains I wanted to get checked out. I’m a competitor. I’m going to compete with my brothers to the end.
“It means something that I finish this off the right way.”
Hannah had initially advised the team over the weekend he was not going to play in the upcoming NIT, opting out in what was believed to be preparation for his pursuit of opportunities with a professional league.
An emotional firestorm ensued within the Bradley fan base, and on Monday night the star forward told the 26-8 team he wants to play.
“It’s part of college coaching,” Bradley coach Brian Wardle said. “I’m happy Darius is going to join us Wednesday night and compete in the NIT. We got to get ready.
“I’m happy Darius is joining us.”
The 6-foot-9, 205-pound Hannah earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2024-25 and left his mark on the Bradley record book. The forward scored 1,150 points in his five seasons at the Hilltop, the 36th-most points in the program’s history. He also appeared in 149 games, the most in Bradley program history. He had 135 career blocks and 116 career steals.
Hannah emerged as a central leadership figure, and down the deep stretch played his best games to help Bradley reach the MVC Tournament championship game.
Hannah built a terrific legacy at Bradley.
“The legacy means a lot,” Hannah said. “It means everything. From my teammates to the coaches to the community.
“I’ve dreamed of the NCAA Tournament, playing in it, since I was a kid. We didn’t reach that goal, fell short. That was hard, but we’re in the NIT and I think we can make a long run.”
Turn the clock back to Sunday
It was a stunning turn from Sunday night, when Wardle had to announce that Hannah and Zek Montgomery were not going to play in the NIT.
Montgomery’s status was still unchanged — at least as far the Braves team was aware — on Monday night.
Wardle said Sunday the team would work with several different lineup options during the coming days to prepare for North Alabama and fill the vacated spots.
“I saw Demarion Burch light up,” Wardle said Sunday. “Timo (van der Knaap) gets an opportunity. It’s a challenge, we’ve had some great spirited practices. An opportunity to give Connor Dillon more minutes. Another opportunity for everyone to play.”
It’s likely Hannah will not start Wednesday, but he’ll certainly play. The Braves really do want to look at some of their younger talent on the postseason stage.
Hannah, meanwhile, says he wants to pursue a pro career. “Everyone knows the Malevy Leons route,” Hannah said, referring to the Bradley wing who made his NBA debut this season. “I want to take advantage of the pro opportunities that are out there.”
Monday preparation day
Montgomery and Hannah were not at Bradley’s practice on Monday. Freshman Timoty van der Knaap was slated to play the 4 spot normally occupied by Hannah.
“I thank Coach Wardle for the opportunity,” van der Knaap said. “I’m excited for this chance. I’m going to play the 4, and I can’t wait for this chance.”
Bradley star guard Duke Deen talked about his decision, as a fifth-year senior out of eligibility, to play in the NIT.
“I feel like I owe it to my teammates,” Deen said. “I also want to help the young guys (transition) in a postseason national tournament. I want to be there for O (Demarion Burch), Quan (Jaquan Johnson), Timo (Timoty van der Knaap) in these NIT games. Ja’Shon Henry did that for me when I first got here. I want to do it for them, they are the future, they are going to carry things on after we’re gone.”
Fellow senior Christian Davis, who will be at his familiar wing position when Bradley opens the NIT against North Alabama at Carver Arena on Wednesday night, said:
“It’s an opportunity to play basketball, and opportunity to play again with my brothers. I feel like if my teammates and coaches are suited up and going to work, I need to be, too.”
Davis has an attorney appealing on his behalf to the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility, but he understands the odds are long and that this NIT run is likely his last moments in college basketball.
“I’m going through the appeals process,” Davis said. “I’ll fight as hard as I can to get back here for another season, but if this is it, I’m going to leave it all on the floor.”
By night’s end, Hannah was back in the fold.
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 deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
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