By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
When Bradley Van Staalduinen started playing basketball at Terra Ceia, everybody knew that one day he would be playing college ball. Well, that day has come.
The Knights’ 6-6 do-it-all forward has received a full scholarship to play basketball at Wingate College, and said he is looking forward to the challenge of playing hoops at the collegiate level.
Roger Klaassen, who coached Van Staalduinen throughout his five years of varsity basketball was equally excited to see his young star get a chance to extend his playing career.
Van Staalduinen said he fielded offers from a few Div. I schools such as Liberty and Citadel, but Wingate (Div. II) persuaded him to play for the Bulldogs when they offered him a full scholarship.
Van Staalduinen, a two-time WDN all-area first team selection, averaged 19 points and nine rebounds for the Knights in his senior season, and hopes he can continue to put up big numbers at Wingate.
While with the Knights, Van Staalduinen was asked to play anywhere from the perimeter to the paint, and with the Bulldogs that trend should continue. Though Van Staalduinen did say he needed to work more on his post up game.
Klaassen said that Van Staalduinen is capable of anything he puts his heart in to.
While developing new moves will take time, Van Staalduinen’s biggest challenge will be adapting to the strength and speed of college athletes.
Van Staalduinen said that he hasn’t settled on a major yet, but is leaning towards sports science or business.