South Carolina Gamecocks basketball recruiting: Four-star forward Josh Cunningham chooses Bradley

Frank Martin and his staff couldn’t land Josh Cunningham, who is on his way to Bradley. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Four-star 2014 Chicago (Ill.) Morgan Park forward Josh Cunningham had it down to the South Carolina Gamecocks, Bradley, DePaul, Creighton and Indiana. In the end, it was that Bradley won out for his services.

The senior made the announcement, which was several times delayed throughout the past few weeks, at a ceremony at his high school moments ago in front of friends and family.

A Midwestern school, like Bradley or DePaul, were thought to be the favorites–and as it turned out, the Braves were the team that won out in the end. The 6’6″ forward should provide a boost to Geno Ford and a Braves team looking to overtake Wichita State for supremacy in the Missouri Valley Conference, and if he pans out, he may be a major sleeper that was passed over by bigger schools throughout the course of the recruiting process.

Cunningham was part of a Morgan Park team that won the Illinois 3A state championship this previous season–their second straight. The big man was a huge part of that repeat run, averaging a double-double (23 and 15) in his senior campaign. He hopes to bring that same skill to the table at Bradley.

Here’s the list of 2014 commitments (thus far) for Frank Martin and the Gamecocks:
Marcus Strohman | PG | 6’1″, 180 | Keenan | Columbia, SC | Rivals: ****
Shamiek Sheppard | SF | 6’6″, 210 | Fishburne Military School | Waynesboro, VA | Rivals: ***
TeMarcus Blanton | SG | 6’5″, 185 | Luella | Locust Grove, GA | Rivals: ***