LaDamien “Poppa” Bradford has announced that he has committed to play for Xavier University in New Orleans. Bradford moves to the NAIA member school that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference through the transfer portal after spending two years at Louisiana Tech University and one at Texas A&M.

The hope is that the third time will be the charm for the former Jonesboro-Hodge High School star who led the Tigers to the state tournament in basketball in 2017 to acheive the success that was predicted.

A national recruit coming out of high school, Bradford enjoyed marginal success while at Texas A&M and in his first year at La Tech under head coach Eric Konkel. Things didn’t go as planned in his second year as a Bulldog though as result of attempting to play through nagging injuries and being caught up in Tech’s new coach Talvin Hester’s plans to overhaul the Tech lineup. 

Undaunted, Bradford is optimistic and eager for his next challenge as portrayed in an Instagram post announcing his decision to play for the Gold Rush. 

“My light not dim, they shot it out but again I’m gonna shine,” posted Bradford.