Ask just about any college player about the transition from high school to college sports and you will most likely hear various descriptions of the higher level of play at the collegiate level.

There certainly is a transition, but what matters most is how well you make that transition. If statistics are any indication, Mayde Creek graduate Brandon Bush has done remarkably well in adapting to college basketball at Texas State.

“Going from high school to college I learned it is a more physical game,” Bush said. “It is also a more fast paced game and you have to pick it up more on defense.”

Bush, a junior, is counted on for his team leadership and his ability to make the players around him better. And that suits him just fine.

“I am a player that believes a lot in confidence and it can take you a long way,” Bush said.

Bush wasted little time asserting himself and showing that he is able to compete at this level. As a freshman he was second on the team in scoring as he averaged over nine points per game. Not only did he provide some offensive firepower, he averaged 3.6 rebounds per game and scored 15 points in his first game as a Texas State Bobcat.

His freshman season was not without struggles. However, he did not give in to frustration and always found a way to bounce back from lackluster games. It was during his struggles that Bush found it important to reflect back on advice he received as a younger player.

“Coach Heil (his high school coach) always told me what it was going to take to play at this level,” Bush said.

Bush took it upon himself to make a statement in the last game of his freshman season, going 7-of-13 from the field and pouring in 21 points. But it was his well-rounded performance that left the lasting impression and created much optimism for their next season.

Not only did he score 21 points, he pulled down eight rebounds and sank all six of his free throw attempts.

With new head coach Doug Davalos on board Bush wasted no time in showing that his new coach could count on him. His first game as a sophomore was a 27-point performance in a win over Dallas Baptist and there would be more big games to follow.

Asked about the biggest challenge so far in his college career, Bush said, “Making the transition from our old coach my freshman year to our new coach my sophomore year.”

Judging by his performance it is obvious he used the challenge to grow and become a better player.

His sophomore season ended up being a memorable one. He had 21 games where he scored in double digits with seven of those being 20-plus point games. During his last four games as a sophomore he shot over 84 percent from the free throw line and during his last game of the season, much like he did as a freshman, he closed things out with a bang as he scored 25 points against Texas-Arlington.

This year Bush has continued to impress. Not only has he developed into a strong team leader, he leads the team in scoring with a 15-point average and in rebounding with just more than seven boards per game.

In several games this season he has lead the team in rebounding and scoring. He has four games where he scored 20-points or more and three games where he had double digit rebounds.

“This season I have watched us develop and I look forward to getting to the post-season,” Bush said. “I also just want to take it one game at a time in (the Southland) conference.”

But what about beyond his college career? When asked what he thought it was going to take to have a legitimate shot at playing professional basketball Bush replied, “Just being consistent on the offensive end and defensive end: it’s not always about scoring the most points.”

Editor's Note: This is the first in the "Alumni Watch" series, which will highlight former high school players' achievements at the college level. If you have a nominee, call The Athlete's Connection at (713) 339-4400 or e-mail dpurpura@athletesconnection.com. 

Photos courtesy of Don Anders and Chandler Prude

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