Bradley and Illinois State among college basketball teams vying for Metamora Redbirds star

PEORIA — Matthew Zobrist can picture himself playing for Bradley. So can the Braves, who have officially made an offer to the Metamora basketball star.

"I'm super-excited. My dad and cousin went to Bradley," the 6-foot-5 Zobrist said. "It means a lot to me. I can picture myself on that Carver Arena floor, hitting a 3 for Bradley.

"I'm open to everything right now. Whatever happens, happens."

Metamora basketball: Every story from the run to the Class 3A state title

The junior shooting guard is the son of former Bradley guard Aaron Zobrist, the program's all-time 3-point shooting percentage leader at 42.4%. And his cousin is Nate Kennell, who knocked down a lot of 3s for Bradley from 2016-17 through 2019-20.

"It's exciting for sure to see this (an offer from Bradley) for Matthew," said Aaron Zobrist, who played at Bradley from 1993-94 through 1996-97 and was inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. "We're just trying to work through these options."

Peoria's growing list of Division I talent

Zobrist collected offers from Eastern Illinois (June 15), Bryant (Aug. 1), Illinois State (Sept. 22) and six days later, Bradley. He is part of a growing number of Division I boys basketball talent in the Peoria area.

Teammate Cooper Koch (Iowa) and Richwoods newcomer Lathan Sommerville (Rutgers) are both committed to play hoops for the Big Ten Conference. Eoin Dillon from Peoria Notre Dame has recently committed to Belmont, while Manual's Dieterich Richardson has offers from Southern Illinois and Bryant.

"It's been stressful, definitely a motivation though," Matthew Zobrist said. "I just work on my skills and prepare for that intensity level that is the college game."

Zobrist appeared in all 36 games for Metamora's IHSA Class 3A state champions and is looking for a repeat on another loaded Redbirds team. He averaged 4.1 points. 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and shot 34% from the field including 28% on 3-pointers and 69% on free throws.

"There's a desire to get back there (to the state title game)," Zobrist said. "Every once in a while I think about it. But not too much. I'm focused on what is ahead."

When Matthew Zobrist does look back, he thinks about going to Bradley games in Carver Arena as a kid, lining up on the floor before pre-game introductions to get fist-bumps from players, and rooting for Walt Lemon Jr. because "I thought he was a really cool guy." He likes the direction of the Bradley program and believes he'll be comfortable there if the Braves end up being his choice.

"I like how (Bradley coach) Brian Wardle has brought the program back to a winner," Zobrist said. "His drive to be the best and make the best player and best team he can."

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 Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley basketball joins recruiting chase for Metamora guard with offer