PEORIA — The Bradley Braves lost a prized acquisition from their offseason rebuild Tuesday when projected starting point guard Georgi Gerganov was ruled out for the season with a major knee injury.
The 6-foot-4 European star from Bulgaria suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a non-contract drill in a BU team workout.
He was set to get 30 minutes per game at point guard and run Bradley‘s offense in tandem with Peoria native and sophomore guard Dietrich Richardson.
Richardson, the 6-foot-7 former Manual Rams star, will likely now take on the starting role at point guard while BU searches through the summer for answers to the position.
The Braves have one roster spot available and two unused scholarships, which they could potentially use to bring in an older, veteran guard who can provide some depth at the position.
But the program’s NIL budget is likely spent, so options might be limited.
Gerganov is a Sliven, Bulgaria, native who averaged 21.3 points per game on 36.6 minutes for pro team BC Botev in the Bulgaria National Basketball League during the 2025-26 season.
He was an emerging star in Europe who delivered 5.5 rebounds per game, 5.8 assists, 2.3 steals and shot 45.8% from the field and 33.3% from 3 last season.
He played for the Bulgaria National Team in the 2025-26 World Cup, facing Holland. He also appeared in the 2025-26 European Championships for the 14-11 Botev team against Norway and Armenia.
Gerganov was Bradley’s top roster addition, and part of a plan to signifcantly increase the team’s size at both guard spots.
The Braves envisioned the 6-4, 22-year-old playing in a tandem with the 6-7 Richardson.
Bradley also added 6-6 guard Kyle Grill, 6-4 guard Dimitrije Pavlovic, 6-6 guard Trevon Payton and 6-6 guard/forward Race Kowalczyk.
The Braves also have Jackson Seastrunk returning, a 6-5 guard who redshirted last season.
Gerganov was a centerpiece to Bradley’s retooled roster in the offseason. This is what BU head coach Brian Wardle said after the player came on board in mid-April.
“Adding a guard with his size and versatility was a priority for our staff this cycle, and he checks every box. His length and feel for the game allow him to impact every possession, whether initiating offense or creating opportunities for others.
“What stands out is his ability to elevate the players around him. He sees the floor at a high level, makes the right reads, and plays with a pace and composure that brings stability to the group.
“Just as important is who he is as a competitor. There is a toughness to his game that shows up on both ends, and he takes pride in the details that lead to winning.”
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and 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 basketball receives devastating injury news
