By Tom Seipp, Sports Editor
The St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team picked up their first spring recruit Friday, with the commitment of JUCO guard Eddie Creal.
“It just felt like the place to be,” said Creal on his commitment. “The coaches here believe in me and I trust them.”
Creal said there were other schools recruiting him heavily, but he ultimately chose the Bonnies.
Creal added the spread of COVID-19 did slow his recruitment. Creal never got the chance to step onto campus, but he got to see the campus as part of a slideshow.
Creal now joins the Class of 2022, one of seven who are scheduled to graduate that year. His commitment now leaves two scholarships left open for the upcoming season. Quintin Metcalf is the Bonnies lone commitment for the Class of 2024 so far; he committed on November 16, 2019.
Creal, a 6-foot-4 guard from Joliet, Illinois, spent the last two years playing for two JUCO schools: Western Wyoming CC and Moberly Area CC.
Creal credited both schools playing a big part in the type of player he is now.
“The JUCO life isn’t easy at all, it takes hard work and toughness. It prepares you for that next level,” he said. “Glad that I can experience that type of grind.”
His freshman season at Western Wyoming CC, Creal played in 29 games averaging 16.1 points per game .
This past season at Moberly Area CC Creal averaged 15.1 points per game in 33 games, but shot much better overall.
From his freshman to sophomore year, Creal improved his field goal percentage (44.9% to 58.1%), three point percentage (25.0% to 35.6%), and free throw percentage (62.7% to 69.8%). Creal also proved that he is an above-average rebounder for a guard, averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds per game over his collegiate career so far.
When describing his play Creal said that he is a “high motor guard with a lot of toughness. I kinda do a little bit of everything”
“My biggest strength is attacking the basket,” said Creal. “I also can make open shots.”
St. Bonaventure still has two scholarships open for the 2020-21 season.
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On April 4th, St. Bonaventure transfer Bobby Planutis committed to Purdue Fort Wayne.
Matt Johnson announced on April 2nd he will also enter the transfer portal.
Seipptw19@bonaventure.edu
