Season of Work: Jerome Merritt

Freshman forward Jerome Merritt is featured in the third installment of Bradley Basketball's Season of Work

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Men's Basketball 7/1/2016 12:33:00 PM

In order to fill the days before Bradley Basketball officially begins the NCAA Championship segment of its season with its first full practice of the segment Sept. 30, BradleyBraves.com is spotlighting each of the team's 15 players in a weekly series entitled Season of Work. Each spotlight includes a video breakdown session with Braves head coach Brian Wardle. The third installment of the Season of Work series features freshman forward Jerome Merritt.

Season of Work: Jerome Merritt

Full Name: Jerome Merritt
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 210 lbs
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Hudson, FL (Oldsmar Christian School)

OVERVIEW
A primary point of emphasis in Bradley's 2016 recruiting cycle was to add athleticism to the roster and the addition of Merritt provides a big checkmark next to that entry on the recruiting wish list. An elite athlete, Merritt played both football and soccer in high school and he showed off his leaping ability to the young campers at the end of the first session of Coach Wardle's Basketball Camp by leaping over 6-foot-10 freshman center Koch Bar for a one-handed jam down the lane (video available on Twitter).

ACCOLADES
Merritt scored more than 1,500 points during his prep career, highlighted by his junior season at Fivay High School when he averaged 24.6 points per game. He set the school's scoring all-time scoring record, including a 56-point effort in one game, and he led the country in double-doubles. Merritt transferred to Oldsmar Christian School in Jacksonville, FL for his final prep season and he averaged 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game in 2015-16, helping the Eagles to the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association championship and a top 20 national ranking throughout the year.

QUOTABLE
"Jerome brings a competitiveness and athleticism that we need. We followed him throughout the year and loved his development as he competed against some of the top players in the nation, day in and day out, on one of the top high school teams in America." - Brian Wardle, Bradley Basketball head coach.

"One thing about Jerome: he's a quiet kid off the floor, but when he gets on the floor, he has the personality of an animal. He does a little bit of everything; he's a utility type guy, rebounds the ball, drives it really well. He's working on his shot a little more, but he's also a willing passer." – Jimmie Foster, Bradley Basketball assistant coach.

"Jerome has been acclimating to college life. It's been an adjustment for him, but he's learning very quick. One thing about him, he works at it. He was a very good student coming out of high school, but it's always an adjustment when you come to college. He has been working at it at a high level, being at every appointment on time, and he has just been really good to work with from an academic aspect." - Foster

"He is a talented player that is very hungry to work and improve. He fits right into our culture, both on the court and in the classroom, and we are excited to be a part of his continued development." - Wardle

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Nickname(s): Rome, Drone
The person who has most influenced by athletics career: Romeria (sister)
Most people don't know this: I'm Cuban
My favorite Coach Wardle phrase: "Say it with your chest"
Favorite TV sports broadcaster: Doris Burke
My most memorable moment in athletics: 7th grade dunk
Do you play a musical instrument?: Drums
When I want to get away from my sport, I: Play music

SEASON OF WORK FEATURES
Thursday, June 16: Junior forward Donte Thomas (Direct Link)
Thursday, June 23: Sophomore forward Luuk van Bree (Direct Link)
Thursday, July 7: Sophomore guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye

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