Bellarmine University announced today that the NCAA approved a waiver request and men's basketball player Pedro Bradshaw will be immediately eligible and have three years of eligibility remaining.
A 6-foot-7 guard/forward, Bradshaw played last season at Eastern Kentucky University after beginning his collegiate career at Belmont University. The 2017 Kentucky Mr. Basketball finalist played all five positions at Russellville High School, where he averaged 22.1 points and 13.1 rebounds as a senior, helping guide the Panthers to a Fourth Region title game and finishing his career as the school's all-time leading scorer (1,938 points) and rebounder (1,169).
Bradshaw, who saw action in 10 games last season at EKU, joins a Bellarmine squad that is coming off a 28-5 campaign in which the Knights won their third consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament title and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the DII NCAA Tournament for the sixth time since 2011.
"We're thrilled that Pedro has received his waiver to play right away, not only for Pedro, but also for our entire basketball program," said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. "Having Pedro eligible this year will give us another dynamic playmaker able to guard multiple positions to go along with all of the other returners. Special thanks to Bellarmine Associate AD for Compliance Annie Coryell for her tireless work throughout this process. Additionally, we appreciate the work and support of the athletic departments of both Eastern Kentucky University as well as Belmont University for their cooperation in helping Pedro obtain immediate eligibility."
Bradshaw said he is looking forward to playing with the Knights. "They have an amazing culture and tradition," Bradshaw said of Bellarmine. "The way they play is extremely unselfish — the way they pass, everybody shares the ball, everybody can shoot the ball. I want to be a part of that winning culture."
The 2019-20 Bellarmine Knights will kick off their season on Oct. 29 with an exhibition game against the University of Louisville.