Versatile and talented, Canton’s Eziuka primed for memorable senior season

When the world all but shut down during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, Bradley Eziuka made the most efficient use possible of the months dominated by social isolation.

Already an accomplished baller — and tall for his age — the articulate and well-spoken teenager wore out the nets attached to his driveway hoop and started building muscle in his home’s workout area.

“Around eighth or ninth grade, that’s when I started taking basketball more seriously,” said Eziuka, who at 6-foot-4 and equipped with high-level ball skills can handle all three positions on the court.

“It was the quarantine year, so I spent a lot of time shooting on my driveway hoop and working out with weights in our basement. I feel blessed my parents have always provided me with the resources I’ve needed to get better.

Driveway is for more than parking

“Our driveway court is like half of a half court with a three-point line, so I had plenty of space to work on my shooting and ball-handling skills.”

Eziuka’s diligence was rewarded when he made Canton’s junior varsity squad as a freshman.

As a junior starter on Canton’s highly-successful 2022-23 squad, Eziuka displayed a variety of skills — slashing to the hoop on one possession, knocking down a mid-range jumper moments later, and throwing down a momentum-building dunk when the opportunity presented itself.

As his skills grew, so did his passion for the sport.

“Basketball seems like art to me,” Eziuka said. “I love how all the players play as one, I like seeing the different actions and the designs of the plays. Every time I watch a game, I see something new that intrigues me.”

Hoops build friendships

Eziuka said he embraces the social aspect the sport offers, too.

“I love meeting new people and bonding with my teammates and coaches,” he continued. “Most of my best friendships were built from playing basketball.

“It’s just a beautiful game to me. I love studying it and gaining new knowledge every time I play it or watch it.”

The son of two ultra-supportive parents — father Okechukwu Eziuka (who was born and raised in Nigeria before ultimately playing defensive end and competing in track and field for Eastern Michigan University) and mother Sara Hayter — Eziuka is a stellar student with a 3.83 grade-point average.

“My goal is to study general business in college and then narrow down exactly what I want to do the more I learn,” he said.

Unfinished business

He’s a big fan of the ABC hit show “Shark Tank”, on which up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch ideas to billionaire investors.

“I started watching ‘Shark Tank’ last year when we watched it on Fridays in one of my marketing classes,” he said. “I enjoy seeing how the entrepreneurs and the investors think.”

Looking ahead to his senior season, Eziuka wants to take care of some unfinished business on the court.

“Myself, Caleb Williams and Devon Pettus were all on some really good Canton teams the past two seasons that lost in the district championship game,” Eziuka said. “Losing like we did has kind of fueled our fire to win a district championship this year.

“I’m ready to take on the role of a leader along with Teddy Winstel, Caleb and Devon. I’m glad my teammates feel they can look to me to be one of the team’s leaders. They know I’ll always have their backs and I know they’ll always have my back.”

Canton tips off its 2023-24 season Friday at 7 p.m. at home against Detroit Country Day.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.