Division I recruiters come calling for Highlands’ Bradyn Foster

By: Nathan Breisinger
Monday, October 9, 2023 | 10:58 AM

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With high school boys basketball season lurking around the corner, it means one last chance for the Class of 2024 to showcase its potential for the next level.

Highlands senior Bradyn Foster aims to have his future plans decided before then.

“I plan on committing before the season,” Foster said, although he does not have a specific commitment date just yet.

After making a leap in production from his sophomore campaign to his junior season for Highlands, and a strong spring season for Caveman Academy in the AAU circuit, it was imminent Division I suitors would come knocking.

While some Division II schools were showing interest in the 6-foot-8 forward, Toledo became the first Division I school to offer May 12.

“It was crazy, and it came fast because I didn’t expect to receive an offer like that so early. I thought I’d have to wait through the summer,” Foster said.

Since then, numerous mid-major schools have come calling. Along with Toledo, Foster’s offer sheet stands at Penn, Navy, Fairfield and Central Arkansas.

“It’s been an experience, and it’s cool to have that opportunity,” Foster said about his recruitment process.

Recently, Foster made official visits to Fairfield and Penn. Foster echoed similar experiences at both schools but saw a different side in the classroom with the latter program.

“I liked the culture around both of their basketball programs. Of course, with Penn being an Ivy League school, it was cool to see the academic stuff, too,” Foster said.

Foster is a 3.8 student, so it’s fitting that Patriot League and Ivy League programs are expressing interest.

“He’s a great student, which is a reason a lot of these schools are looking at him because he fits that bill,” Highlands coach Corey Dotchin said. “He takes care of his work off the court as well and puts in the time.”

While Foster has made the trip to see several schools, he also has had frequent visitors attend workouts and open gyms at the Highlands facilities over the past few months.

Some of those schools include two Foster is hoping to receive offers from: Lehigh and Davidson. He has visits planned for Central Arkansas and Lehigh

“It’s nice to get the opportunity to work out in front of them,” Foster said. “It’s not AAU season anymore, so it’s nice to have the opportunity to prove yourself to coaches in the gym.”

As Foster prepares for his college decision, he has received support from his family, and especially from his father, Michael, who played collegiate basketball at Division III Mount Union.

“My dad played basketball in college, so he loves to see it and it’s been fun for him,” Foster said.

The Division I intrigue initially sparked after Foster culminated an impressive junior season for the Golden Rams, scoring 20.7 points per game — seven points better than his sophomore campaign — in addition 11 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game.

“He made tremendous strides in his game through his hard work and dedication in his offseason,” Dotchin said.

For a big man, Foster displays a unique skillset that can be beneficial at the collegiate ranks.

“I think what’s really catching college coaches’ eyes is his versatility,” Dotchin said. “He’s a good athlete, but he’s not just an inside player. He can shoot the 3 at a high percentage. He’s comfortable being on the perimeter and handling the basketball. He has the ability to score on the inside with either hand. Seeing the versatility and how much he can do on the offensive end is really intriguing to coaches.”

Not only can Foster score in the paint and dominate the boards, but his perimeter shooting is impressive as he sank 29 3-pointers last season.

“My versatility being 6-foot-8 and being able to handle and shoot the ball is what helps me the most,” Foster said.

The ascent of Foster’s play aided an impressive season from the Golden Rams a year ago: 23-6 overall record and 8-2 in section.

“We had a special team with a lot of good senior leadership. It was one of those teams where all the pieces meshed together,” Dotchin said. “We had experience, we had guards, we had shooting, we had size, we had athleticism, we had some depth, so he just fit in well with everything else we had around him.

“It was tough to game plan for us and focus in on certain players.”

Highlands lost in the WPIAL semifinals to eventual Class 4A champion Lincoln Park and again lost in the PIAA tournament to the Leopards.

Foster wants to make sure his team will be prepared if the Leopards stand in their way during his senior season.

“We’ve been working hard,” he said. “We have the obstacle of Lincoln Park in the way, and that’s definitely a team that’s hard to beat, but we got to get better to make it to them first.”

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