Three Bradley Braves Named to MVC Watch List

The Missouri Valley Conference recognized Xander Alarie, Timoty van der Knaap, and Trevon Payton for the 2026-27 season.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Three Bradley Braves Named to MVC Watch List

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The Missouri Valley Conference has included three Bradley Braves players on its preseason watch list for the 2026-27 basketball season. The league identified 34 standout athletes across the conference to monitor as the year begins.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the depth of the Bradley roster as the team prepares to compete within the Missouri Valley Conference this year. These selections signal which players are expected to anchor the team's performance throughout the upcoming schedule.

The selected Braves include 6-foot-8 forward Xander Alarie, who averaged 10.3 points per game, and 6-foot-6 guard Trevon Payton, who shot 51.9% from the field last season. Fellow 6-foot-8 wing Timoty van der Knaap, who made 33 starts during the 2025-26 season, rounds out the trio.

The players

Xander Alarie

He is a 6-foot-8 forward playing for the Bradley Braves.

Timoty van der Knaap

He is a 6-foot-8 wing who previously made 33 starts during the 2025-26 season.

Trevon Payton

He is a 6-foot-6 guard who transferred to Bradley from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Missouri Valley Conference

This is the collegiate athletic conference that governs the basketball league in which Bradley University competes.

The details

Bradley University adds these three athletes to the league-wide roster of 34 players monitored by the Missouri Valley Conference. While Timoty van der Knaap is currently recovering from a foot injury, the conference identifies him alongside Alarie and the recent transfer Payton as key contributors for the year.

October 21, 2026: The Missouri Valley Conference released the player watch list.
2025-26: Trevon Payton recorded a 51.9% field goal percentage over 32 games.
2026-27: This timeframe marks the basketball season for the MVC watch list.

Season Trajectory

The selection of three players to the 2026-27 Missouri Valley Conference preseason watch list establishes Bradley University as a key contender in the upcoming conference hierarchy. This recognition positions these specific athletes to serve as the core leadership for the team's playoff aspirations this year.

Trevon Payton joins the roster after a previous season where he shot 47.1% from three-point range, providing a measurable boost to the team's perimeter scoring. The continued status of Timoty van der Knaap remains a critical factor for the rotation while he manages a foot injury.

The takeaway

The inclusion of these three players highlights the talent levels expected on the court for the upcoming Bradley Braves season. Fans can watch how these athletes perform relative to their previous individual statistics as the conference schedule begins.