Phone call helps Bradley land Peoria all-stater
PEORIA — A new challenge awaits Connor Dillon.
The former Peoria Notre Dame allstater on Friday announced his commitment to play basketball for the hometown Bradley Braves. The 6-foot-2 guard looks forward to getting on the court and proving he can play Division I basketball after playing his first four seasons at NCAA Division II Winona State.
“The Missouri Valley is a great conference,” Dillon said, “and I’m just excited to kind of go against all these guys.”
Dillon averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and shot 39 percent from the 3point line during his senior campaign at Winona State. He then entered the transfer portal on March 13, after which “a few low-major, mid-major (DivisionI) programs” reached out to him in the days that followed.
“Just kind of how the new landscape of basketball has been shaping up with the transfer portal and everything,” Dillon said of his decision to leave Winona State. “It just kind of just seemed like an interesting thing I kind of wanted to attempt and see what could happen. The past two years I’ve kind of gotten better and better …”
Bradley’s personal touch helped land a commitment
Once Dillon did hit the portal, Bradley coach Brian Wardle was one of the first coaches to call him. Usually, it’s an assistant coach reaching out to players, but having a head coach give him attention was a pleasant surprise for Dillon. He said the nine-year BU coach told him he was excited to see Dillon was looking for a new landing spot.
“You kind of need to find certain schools that are actually treating you as a priority and actually care for you and actually interested,” Dillon said. “The whole process now is kind of just random. There can be so many teams just are hitting you up just because.
“Building the relationship, obviously, with Bradley, being at home, it’s a nice plus, but I kind of felt most comfortable with (coach) Wardle and his staff.”
Not only will Dillon bring a boost with his scoring prowess, but he’s a four-year player and veteran guard.
“Just bring another energy for Peoria,” he said of what else he can contribute “… They had a great year this past year. Everyone is staying. I think we can do a lot of special things this next year.”
One of Dillon’s main offseason focuses will be hitting the weight room hard and putting weight back on. In averaging more than 35 minutes a game the past two seasons, Dillon battled to keep his strength and maintain his weight throughout the season.
Now, it will be all about making the leap from Division II to Division I.
“Athleticism and strength,” Dillon said. “That’s kind of what could be a difference.”
Connor Dillon joins brother Eoin Dillon in the Valley
Dillon garnered all-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first-team honors this past season at Winona State, which finished 21-10 overall. In 87 career games, he scored 1,422 points, averaging 18.7 points as a junior and 16.3 points a game for his career. Those four years at the school based in Winona, Minn. were extremely enjoyable, according to Dillon.
“It was a great time,” he said. “I have nothing but love for Winona. I love all my coaches and the campus and everything here about it.”
Dillon will graduate in May with a double major in business and administration and marketing before heading to the Hilltop, which provides close proximity to family and friends. Local hoops enthusiasts haven’t been able to watch Dillon in person since the 2020 Class 3A sectional semifinal.
Also, he’ll be joining his younger brother and incoming Belmont freshman Eoin Dillon in the MVC.
“That was just another thing that kind of makes it a little fun,” the older Dillon said, “that he’s going to be in the same conference.
“(Playing in front of my hometown in college) is going to be great. I’ve never had the chance to really do it.”
PROVIDED BY WINONA STATE