'Full circle': Former Bradley basketball player returns to Braves after season at Rhode Island

PEORIA — Zek Montgomery helped the Bradley Braves continue to take shape as a top contender in the Missouri Valley Conference on Tuesday when he returned to the team he won an MVC championship with two seasons ago.

The 6-foot-6 skilled guard went into the NCAA transfer portal, exiting his Rhode Island team, and came out as a member of Bradley's lineup.

"Full circle," Bradley coach Brian Wardle said. "I don't know how many NCAA Division-I teams have done that, had a guy come back to them in the portal. Having Zek come back is a testament to our culture, our city and fans and Bradley University.

"It's really exciting to have him."

Two seasons ago as a sophomore, Montgomery helped Bradley to its first Valley regular-season championship in 27 years. He then transferred to Rhode Island of the Atlantic 10 Conference, where he appeared in 31 games, with 16 starts, and averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in the 2023-24 season.

He started 25 games for the Braves in the 2022-23 season and shot 43.3% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range, while earning a spot on the MVC Most Improved Team.

"I was talking over my choices with my family, and I felt this was the best situation for me," Montgomery said. "Some familiar ground for me. Special memories for me, special place in my heart. That championship night, cutting down those nets, is going to be part of me forever.

"I think we can scare some people."

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Montgomery gives the Braves a long, athletic guard with an impact shooting skill that will help them replace guard Connor Hickman, who left via the transfer portal in March.

"I'd say my overall game has improved in the past year," Montgomery said. "I never stopped watching Bradley games, though, stayed tuned in and watched every game I could. Overall, I just felt like my experience here was good. I wouldn't change anything.

"Darius (Hannah) and Duke (Deen) are the first two guys I talked to after I made this decision. They are excited, we're all excited to play together."

Montgomery seemed on his way to becoming an explosive player in the 2022-23 season. He had 39 points and 23 rebounds in a four-game stretch against Illinois-Chicago, Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa and Illinois State. He joins a BU team that still has several members of that team still here, including Hannah and Deen, forward Christian Davis and center Ahmet Jonovic.

"I know he missed his teammates, he has some good friends on this team," Wardle said. "It was a factor in him coming back. I think Zek always had a very good experience at Bradley. He has had success here, won a championship.

"We had a very good relationship with him. He's a guy we're very comfortable with on and off the court."

What the Braves think

The Braves were excited at the return of Montgomery on Tuesday.

Bradley point guard and key leader Duke Deen said: "Zek is the type of guy you want to go to war with. This upcoming season he will be a veteran guy who knows how to win."

Deen acknowledged the departure of Hickman to the transfer portal, and pointed out Montgomery's return will be very important for the Braves at that position.

"With No. 10 (Hickman) chasing his dreams, we lose a great leader," Deen said. "So Zek will have a chance to step into that role as he has history with the program. I'm ready more than ever to see him develop into a vocal leader this year!

"As a team, we know what we want to accomplish this year and Zek makes our chances even more favorable."

What's next for the Braves roster building?

The addition of Zek Montgomery, on the heels of also getting former Peoria Notre Dame all-state guard Connor Dillon, helps Bradley re-load at the two-guard spot.

"We'll use Zek a lot like we did Hickman," Wardle said. "Zek can score and play-make and handle the ball."

The Braves have rebuilt the guard position overall, where they now have Montgomery, Deen, Demarion Burch, Dillon and incoming freshman Jaquan Johnson.

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Wardle, of course, is not done setting up his 2024-25 roster.

"We still have a couple scholarships left, and we're going to keep recruiting," he said. "We're looking for a skilled 5-man. We have a lot of versatility on the roster.

"But we have to recruit a team, not talent."

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.