“I think if I can get the outside shot, then I am really going to be unguardable,” Childs said.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said he was impressed by Bradley forward Elijah Childs’ performance in the NCAA Tournament matchup. The rising sophomore was an integral part of the Braves’ postseason run.
Before the postseason began, he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference Most Improved Team and the All-MVC Third Team. After the Braves secured the MVC Championship, Childs was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Childs said he had a chip on his shoulder after the regular season, thinking he should have been the second team.
In postseason play, Childs scored 14.3 points per game, 2.25 blocks and shot 40 percent from three.
His play made the nation wonder why he was playing at Bradley out of the usual one bid MVC. Childs said he could have attended a large power-five program but saw the potential in Peoria for the program and his own personal growth.
“My pops really influenced me to come here,” Childs said. “He said he knew I could come here and have an impact and Bradley would be doing big things.”
Childs led the team in rebounds and blocks, finished second in points per game and steals while playing 29.4 minutes per contest. He started all but one game this past season. Although he was a leader statistically, Childs said he was just a piece of the puzzle.
“I just do anything I can, everything I can to help my team win,” Childs said. “The coaches put on me [that] this year my role was just to be consistent and go hard for a full 40 minutes. My teammates really stepped up.”
His consistency and hard work paid off in the form of an automatic bid for the NCAA tournament.
“That was one of my goals stepping on campus,” Childs said. “It was a great atmosphere and I loved it. I can’t wait to get back to work. I had so much fun out [in Des Moines].”
For the Braves to reach the tournament again while Childs is on campus, he will need to step up as a leader after the departure of four seniors.
“I definitely try to be a leader for this group. I am kinda the guy who is going to show it and talk it,” Childs said. “I think people feed off my energy and I just try to bring that energy everyday.”
He said he is ready to take on an even bigger responsibility in seasons to come.
“I already delivered as a sophomore so I think I’m in a position to lead this group to bigger and better things,” Childs said. “We have a talented recruiting class coming in and I’m looking to help the guys get acclimated to the system.”
While Childs awaits the start of a new season he said he has been putting in the work to improve his game, especially his three-point shooting. He only converted at a 23 percent clip behind the arc this past campaign.
