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Koenig makes it official by signing to play for Bradley
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · November 16, 2017
West Branch High School senior Tatum Koenig last week made her decision official, signing a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Bradley University.
Surrounded by dozens of friends and classmates and seated at a table with several family members, the 5-7 daughter of Brad and Nikki Koenig put her name on the line Nov. 8 just two days into the start of practice.
“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” Tatum said afterward. “I couldn’t be any more proud.”
Bradley Head Woman’s Coach Andrea Gorski said the Braves “love hard-nosed competitive players” like the Bear point guard.
“She is a relentless competitor who will put the team first and help us win in any way she can,” the coach said. “Her skill set and ability to push the tempo fit perfectly with the style of play we are moving toward.”
Principal Shannon Bucknell thanked the crowd, most enjoying doughnuts and milk brought by the family, for “celebrating with the Koenig family.”
He called Tatum’s scholarship to Bradley “exciting,” for offering her a great education and the chance to continue to play basketball, though now for the Braves.
“We wish her the best of luck,” he said to applause.
Nikki Koenig called her daughter’s accomplishment “amazing.”
“She’s put in so much time and had the help of so many good people,” she said. “When other kids are going out, she’s in the gym.”
Bradley, a Division I team, plays Midwest opponents like Valparaiso University, Drake University, University of Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Both parents noted the sacrifices Tatum made to play well enough to attract top-tier area schools.
“She deserves it,” Brad Koenig said.
Tatum in 2016 was No. 7 overall in Class 2A girls basketball, scoring an average of 20 points per game, shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from three-point range and 74.6 percent from the line and 461 points this season.
She is fourth in Class 2A for points per game. And for players with 20 points or more, she is second in three-point shooting percentage, third in free-throw shooting percentage, and fourth in field goal shooting percentage.
Tatum announced her intent to play for the Peoria, Ill., team back in June with a post on Twitter.
Bradley returned the favor Nov. 8 with a tweet of their own showing Tatum wearing a Bradley jersey with No. 12.
“Welcome @tatum_koenig to the family!” read the Bradley WBB tweet, adding hashtags of Squad44, BradleyBound, OfficiallyABrave and NationalSigningDay.
One of Tatum’s club ball coaches, Duez Henderson, responded to the tweet with “Congrats T!!”
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