Carmi-White County senior basketball standout, Bryce Conner, has officially committed to play college basketball at Oakland City University.
Conner finished his CWC career with a memorable senior season, averaging nearly 16 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Conner was well-recognized throughout the season, being selected to the Eldorado Holiday Tournament All-Tournament Team, as well as Tournament MVP at the DuQuin Tip-Off Classic and the Carmi-White County Invitational. Bryce was then named Captain of the Black Diamond Conference East division.
Conner’s basketball career was no walk in the park. He fought for minutes his freshman year on a successful Bulldog team that won 16 games.
His sophomore campaign was shortened by COVID-19 as the Bulldogs only played 13 games.
His junior year was off to a hot start, winning the DuQuoin Tip-Off Classic MVP as the Dogs jumped out to a 4-2 start, but that all came crashing in the first game of the EHT. Conner took a hard fall, breaking his left elbow.
Some thought that Conner’s basketball career would be over, but he was determined to come back even stronger, and he did.
The Bulldogs won more games in 2022-2023 than they did in the previous 24 years, collecting a conference championship for the first time since 2016.
When Carmi’s season came to an end, some once again thought that Conner’s basketball career was over. But again, they were wrong.
Conner has committed to play at the next level for the Mighty Oaks of Oakland City University, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the River States Conference.
Conner was instantly attached to the OCU coaching staff and how they operate.
“The coaching staff was always super nice and I liked the way they ran things,” said Conner.
Oakland City has made it a yearly occurrence to recruit local talent, with last year’s roster featuring athletes from Robinson and Evansville. In year’s past, Edwards County’s Nathaniel Schmittler and Grayville’s Kase Robinson have hit the floor for the Mighty Oaks.
“I’m incredibly proud of Bryce,” said CWC basketball coach Kevin Wolff. “I’m glad he is able to continue playing the sport that he loves. He’s a great player and a great young man.”
Anyone who followed the Bulldogs this past winter, knows Bryce’s biggest supporter, his mom Beth.
“Last year when Bryce broke his elbow, we were told his injury could be career ending,” said Beth. “We thought he would probably never have the range of motion in his elbow that he had before and it could affect his playing ability, needless to say he surpassed every expectation of the doctors and therapists.”
“I believe God has something greater than basketball in store for Bryce. Basketball might just be the path that leads him there. We are excited to continue watching it all unfold in college.”
Conner will pursue a degree in Business at OCU, as he looks to continue to display his talents at the collegiate level.
Congratulations to Bryce Conner, and best of luck at Oakland City University!
