Full Name: Brandyn Keith Heemskerk
Birthdate: July 18, 1982
Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Parents: Keith and Gayle Heemskerk
Major: Management & Administration
High School Coach: Tom Vander Laan
Honors and Awards
? Bradley Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (Spring 2005, Fall 2004, Fall 2003, Fall 2001)
2004-05 (Junior)
? Once again slowed by foot injuries, Heemskerk played in 14 of Bradley’s 28 games last season.
? Was enjoying his best game as a Brave -- eight points, six rebounds and a blocked shot in 12 first-half minutes -- before reinjuring his foot late in the first half Feb. 5 at Illinois State, forcing him to miss the next five games.
? Made all four of his field goal attempts while scoring a career-best nine points Jan. 26 versus Creighton at Carver Arena.
? When Heemskerk joined Patrick O’Bryant on the floor Dec. 21 versus Samford, it marked the first time in Bradley and Missouri Valley Conference basketball history that two 7-foot teammates were on the floor at the same time.
2003-04 (Sophomore)
? A part-time starter, Heemskerk suffered a broken ankle Feb. 11 at Creighton and missed the remainder of the season.
? During Bradley’s 7-2 start, Heemskerk played in eight of the first nine games, starting seven and averaging 17.1 minutes per game.
? Capped that season-opening nine-game stretch with a career-best six points and two rebounds in the Dec. 17 home win versus Loyola-Chicago.
? Equalled his career high with six rebounds in the Jan. 13 home win versus Indiana State.
2002-03 (Redshirt)
? After starting the first three games of the season, Heemskerk sat out the rest of the year due to an illness and was granted a medical hardship.
? Turned in one of his best career games Nov. 25 at Loyola-Chicago, scoring a then-career-best six points while adding five rebounds, an assist and a steal in his 26 minutes.
2001-02 (Freshman)
? Heemskerk gained valuable experience as a freshman in 2001-02, playing in all 29 games with 13 starts.
? Scored Bradley’s first two baskets Feb. 5 at Illinois State, his first field goals since Nov. 24 at Western Illinois.
? Saw double-digit minutes in nine of Bradley’s last 10 games, including 22 minutes as a starter Feb. 25 at Southern Illinois.
? One-third of Heemskerk’s 51 rebounds came on the offensive end.
At Grand Rapids Christian H.S.
? A three-year varsity letterman for coach Tom Vander Laan, Heemskerk was a two-time all-conference choice.
? Helped Grand Rapids Christian to its first city championship in 10 years and the district title in 2001 by averaging 13 points and nine rebounds per game.
? In addition to basketball, Heemskerk also played a season of varsity soccer and he was a two-year member of the school choir.
Personal
? Heemskerk’s younger brother, Brent, is a sophomore on the Drake men’s basketball team, making Bradley’s game in Des Moines Jan. 8, 2005 the first match-up of brothers in the Valley since Matt (Drake) and Andy (Northern Iowa) Woodley during the 1999-2000 season.
? Heemskerk graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, but rather than starting graduate school, he has elected to pursue a double major in business management and administration during his fifth year.
More Than Hoops
Nicknames: Big B, Heemer
Hobbies: Camping, biking
Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption
The people who have helped me the most since coming to Bradley: My teammates
My best friend from another college basketball team: My brother, Brent (Drake)
If I wasn’t playing basketball, I would be: A really tall student
What makes Bradley University special: Tradition and support
My favorite Coach Les phrase: “The beans are burnin’.” (It means get going, it’s time to go)
My goal in life: Be a positive influence to others and bring glory to God
If I could change my sport, I would: Make a dunk worth more points
My biggest frustration has been: Dealing with injuries
