PEORIA — The Bradley Braves lost their “Bully” on Friday in a decision they have been braced for since the 2025-26 season ended.
Star point guard Jaquan Johnson, nicknamed “Bully” for his football-like physique and aggressive playing style, announced he will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on April 7.
“I want to say I am incredibly grateful for the coaching staff who gave me the opportunity to put on a Bradley uniform and represent this great university,” Johnson said on social media. “Thank you to my teammates for battling with me every day. BU fans, thank you for supporting me these past two years and always making me feel at home.
“After careful consideration, I am announcing my intentions to enter the transfer portal. Although I am excited for the next chapter in my journey, I am proud to have been part of the Braves family.”
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound sophomore was Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in ’25-26, and finished runner-up in voting for the conference Larry Bird Player of the Year honors.
It’s projected he could command an NIL deal of $800,000 to $1 million from a Power 5 program.
He led the Valley with 85 steals, which was the third-highest total in the nation, and also delivered 16.9 points per game while starting all 34 outings.
Johnson was a dynamic player who had 818 points in just 71 games over two seasons, while piling up 142 steals, 211 assists and averaging 3.1 rebounds.
He shot 43.3% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
The Milwaukee native came within one steal of tying Bradley’s all-time single-season record, and he tied the single-game record with nine against UT-Martin.
He became the first Bradley player since 1990-91 to put together at least three 30+ point games in a single season.
“He had a great two years here, improved tremendously from Year 1 to Year 2,” Bradley head coach Brian Wardle said. “Quan worked hard. He is a tough, physical guard, really good.”
‘They impacted winning’
Johnson exits the Bradley stage as the latest among a long line of great guards brought in by Wardle during the coach’s era atop the program, which has seen seven seasons of 20+ wins.
“It’s hard to rank him,” said Wardle, when asked to compare him to his other elite point guards at Bradley. “He’s a different point guard than a Duke Deen, a Darrell Brown, Terry Roberts, but they’ve all impacted winning.
“But one thing they had in common was they were all unselfish guys, very devoted to their teammates and the program and winning games.”
The departure of Johnson makes five Braves players who are heading into the transfer portal.
The Braves have seen Johnson, guard Montana Wheeler, guard Demarion Burch, center Kai Yu and forward Handy Toussaint announce intentions to exit via the portal.
“I am proud of the way these men all represented Bradley,” Wardle said. “They all have the winning habits and character to impact their next programs.
“Bradley fans, the next chapter is being written, our time is coming.”
The Braves roster also has seen the departure of four seniors whose eligibility expired, including guard Alex Huibregtse, center Ahmet Jonovic, and forwards A.J. Smith and Corey Thomas.
Those seniors, plus Johnson, represent the starting five from Bradley’s NIT game against Dayton earlier this month.
Dave Eminian is the senior writer and Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley Braves basketball star guard says goodbye, enters portal: ‘Incredibly grateful’
Reporting by Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
