Donivine Stewart transferring

As expected Donivine Stewart is leaving Bradley and is likely headed to SIUE. This is unfortunate as he has had very little opportunity to play in games or prove himself.

I think he will be a good D-I player and wish him well - sad that there are people still taking shots at the BU players...after all, it's not like players leaving to find more playing time elsewhere is a rare situation....it happens every year.
It even happens a bunch at ISU where some of the criticism of the BU players seems to come from.
And for those ISU fans who like to rip on BU - duh....at least the Bradley kids are leaving in GOOD standing, with great grades, on the Honor Roll, and never a hint of trouble or off-the-court things....
You sure can't say that about the ISU kids where we've seen multiple DUI's (Dyer, Sampay), rapes (Bobby Hill), robberies & thefts (Kellen Thornton - has yet another court date next week), attacking and beating up people in the streets at 2AM in front of bars like Darious Clark and Tyler Brown (who got an enormous 1 game suspension vs. SIUE!! - whoa) and drug arrests & citations (too many to list but even include some "stars").
There's even big names from the ISU teams who have had their cases concluded then never paid their fines and remain on the collection rolls...

http://webapp.mcleancountyil.gov/WebApps/PublicAccess/PubAC_Dispostion.asp?case_person_id=1009518

http://webapp.mcleancountyil.gov/WebApps/PublicAccess/PubAC_Dispostion.asp?case_person_id=1048939


Anyway -- here's a compilation of things that were said about Donivine in past media coverage - so it sure isn't his fault he was lured to BU and recruited here by someone who didn't feel he was going to fit the system...

"Geno Ford's take: "Donivine has been getting better. He's learning the
system and where we're trying to get the ball and to whom. He's playing with
much more confidence, which is encouraging. Donivine was the only freshmen
in the first game who distinguished himself as ready to go."

JS scouting report: Stewart lacks all the attributes Ford loves in his guards -
speed, quickness, athleticism. But he owns intangibles in spades. He knows
the game, provides leadership and heady play, is a great passer, is unselfish
yet can score when needed. Defense is still a foreign concept to him. He
must improve it to see major minutes."
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x916009754/Five-freshmen-give-Bradley-a-new-look?zc_p=1


"I see a great future here for us,” said 6-foot-7 forward Devon Hodges of
Bolingbrook. “This group of guys has been battling real good since we got
here."

“I don’t see anything but great things coming out of this group.”

Wells and Stewart are the two Jim Les recruits of the bunch. Both jumped on
board right away when Geno Ford was named the Braves’ new coach on March 28.

“I’m glad to be here and anxious to get started,” Stewart said."
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x1722637466/A-Chemistry-Class


"Ford adds, “It’s an exciting time to be here for coaches and players."

“Our class of recruits, Jalen Crawford, Devon Hodges, Donivine Stewart, Nate
Wells, and Shayok Shayok can be one of the top freshman classes in the
conference,” notes Ford. “As a group overall, five freshmen is a big number,
but I think our fans will enjoy seeing kids come in and play and develop over
four years. We felt it was important that we added four-year players — kids
who are good students and good people who represent the University well
and also do well in the classroom. They’re going to have opportunities that,
quite frankly, they wouldn’t have at a lot of other places.”
http://www.bradley.edu/about/publications/hilltopics/2011summer/ford/


"Ford didn’t reach the NCAA in his three seasons at Kent.
During the meeting, he laid out his vision for a tough, rugged team that dives
for loose balls, takes charges and attacks on both ends of the court. Ford
said he prefers to play fast and wants to lead the Missouri Valley in scoring
and in field-goal percentage defense. He summed up his philosophy in three
words: confidence, trust and attack.

Another top priority will be to contact the four recruits who have signed with
the Braves, in an attempt to keep them in the fold.

Limestone High School guard Donivine Stewart attended the news
conference and met Ford before the proceedings began. Stewart said he’s all
in with the new regime.

“I think they made a great hire,’’ Stewart said, “but I never had any doubts.
When I said I wanted to play for my city and play for Bradley, I meant it.’’
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x796074168/Current-future-BU-players-like-what-they-see

So good luck to Donivine - I hope this doesn't come back to haunt us....
You gotta remember - DJ Cooper - one of the best point guards in the nation was the top target for Jim Les when he was recruiting the kid and Ohio got DJ but Geno when he was at Kent State - as well as just about EVERY other coach - especially BCS coaches - passed on DJ Cooper -- thought he was too small and not athletic enough - until it was too late and missed on him.