Danya Kingsby
BY CAMERON IRWIN
On a team that welcomed eight new players to the roster, the Bradley men’s basketball team has called the number of some new faces quite often.
No player has stepped up to the challenge like junior guard Danya Kingsby, a transfer from LSU. Available to play this season thanks to a waiver passed by the NCAA, Kingsby has made an immediate impact in an offense that has struggled to find rhythm away from Carver Arena.
Offensively, Kingsby is not a spot up shooter like freshman Ville Tahvanainen, making him more valuable. Kingsby’s speed and strong passing ability allows shooters like Tahvanainen and senior Nate Kennell to spot up beyond the arc. In addition, Kingsby’s speed allows him to create shots for himself. Whether its beating the defender to the basket off the dribble or beating defenders down the court off a missed basket, he is an offensive threat with a keen sense of finding the open man or open basket.
So far this season, the junior is averaging nearly 8.5 points per game while shooting 38 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, good for third on the team. In addition, he’s averaging only two turnovers per contest, taking care of the ball on a team that averages nearly 13 turnovers per game.
But, basketball is more than just offense. For as cliché as it sounds, defense truly does win championships. Despite being just 6-foot 1-inch on a Bradley team that starts two undersized guards, Kingsby has stepped up on the defensive end, drawing tough matchups. St. Joseph’s Myles Douglas, Valparaiso’s Eron Gordon and even UNI’s AJ Green, all had their hands full when guarding Kingsby.
He’s averaging a steal a game and holding his own against taller players, using his athleticism to push them off the ball and deny shooters.
What makes the junior guard even more reliable is his versatility and willingness to adapt to the Bradley system. Whether it be running point, coming off the bench, or being the third or fourth scoring option in a talented shooting starting lineup, Kingsby is willing to contribute his part to the team.
His two years of experience and success at the junior college level have prepared him for the spotlight at the Division I level.
Though Jonathan might argue that Tahvanainen has been the better newcomer this season, it’s hard to argue against the experience Kingsby has and the results he’s produced on the court this year.
Ville Tahvanainen
BY JONATHAN MICHEL
When freshman Ville Tahvanainen made the leap to America from Finland, the Bradley basketball community did not know exactly what to expect. Although he starred in the 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, making the transition across the Atlantic isn’t always easy for basketball players.
Tahvanainen began the season quietly, averaging a hair over 10 minutes a game off the bench in nonconference play. Shooting from behind the arc has always been Tahvanainen’s strong suit, shooting 46 percent on 3-point attempts in the 2018 FIBA Championship, but as of late, he has proved his game is more than just shooting. As a result, he has earned increased playing time.
As the season transitioned into Missouri Valley Conference play, Tahvanainen’s shooting percentage rose dramatically. The 6-foot 4-inch freshman has shot at least 50 percent in seven out of Bradley’s first nine conference games. His 49 percent field goal mark stands fourth on the team, entering this week.
Perhaps the factor contributing most to Tahvanainen’s recent stretch of success is his newfound willingness to attack the basket. Tahvanainen stands taller than the rest of Bradley’s guards, except for Nate Kennell. He has transitioned into a multi-dimensional player with a quick shooting trigger and an ability to attack the basket against the Valley’s big men. Whenever Tahvanainen steps on the floor, he opens up the offense for Bradley and garners questions as to how to guard him.
Offensively, the Finnish guard brings food to the table but his defense impresses as well. In Bradley’s loss at Loyola, Tahvanainen corralled six defensive rebounds which tied his season high. Hustle remains a large part of his game and he disrupts opposing offenses with many plays that do not show on the stat sheet.
There was no better place for Tahvanainen to prove his worth than on Jan. 22 against Illinois State. In front of a packed Carver Arena, Tahvanainen torched the Redbirds for 18 points along with seven rebounds. He jump-started the offense after scoring 10 points in five minutes during the first half and made four clutch free throws in the waning minutes to preserve a Braves victory.
Enough can be said about what Tahvanainen does for Bradley currently, but it is astounding to think that he is still a freshman. With three years of eligibility left after this season, he possesses the skillset to become a first team all-MVC player in two to three years. There is no question that Ville Tahvanainen has been the most valuable out of all of Bradley’s newcomers.
