EDWARDSVILLE – For the last few months, All-State guard Brennan Weller didn’t have an answer to the question, “What’s next?”
“Every time I went somewhere and saw someone I knew, they were asking me if I knew what I was doing. I just had to say no,” said Weller, who led the Edwardsville Tigers in scoring the past three seasons and ranks No. 14 on the all-time scoring list.
But now, two months after graduation from EHS, Weller can proudly answer the question and say Arkansas Tech.
“I’m finally able to give them a definitive answer,” Weller said. “I’m really excited about it.”
Weller committed to Arkansas Tech on Thursday morning. He announced his decision on Twitter.
For Weller, it was a long time coming, especially since the fall semester starts in just over a month.
“It is a huge relief,” Weller said. “This has been on the back of my mind now for over a year. It’s been nagging at me. I’m glad I have a plan now. My future was unclear up until today.”
Located in Russellville, Arkansas Tech competes in the Great American Conference of NCAA Division. It is nicknamed the Wonder Boys.
Weller had a chance to visit the campus a month ago.
“I really like the campus. The stadium is also cool,” Weller said of the 45-year-old, 3,500-seat Tucker Coliseum. “It was a really reassuring visit. After already having talked to the coaches before my visit, I had high expectations for it. It was really nice.”
Weller was also considering Southwestern Illinois College but opted against the JUCO route. It was one of a handful of schools he talked to about basketball.
Arkansas Tech is coming off a 7-11 season, including 5-10 in the GAC, in 2020-21. It finished fourth in the Eastern Division of the conference.
Led by coach Mark Downey, the Wonder Boys are trying to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since two straight trips in 2010 and 2011.
“I really like the coaches. They have a really good thing going there,” Weller said. “The players I was able to meet and talk to are really great guys. They remind me a lot of myself.
“It’s important to surround yourself with people that have a lot of similar goals as you. I think it’s a great fit.”
Arkansas Tech could be getting a steal in Weller, who was named to the Class 4A Associated Press All-State second-team as a senior after earning honorable mention last year.
Weller averaged a league-high 18.8 points. He became the first Tiger since Jack Marinko averaged 26.0 points in 2017-18 to lead the SWC in scoring. As a junior, Weller was second in the SWC in scoring behind Collinsville All-State guard Ray’Sean Taylor.
Weller ended his career with 1,216 points, which ranks 14th in program history in between Jason Heien (1,217 points) and Govoner Vaughn (1,207 points).
In March, Weller was named an All-Southwestern Conference first-team selection for the second straight season.
Despite the accolades, Weller was left on the outside of the recruiting cycle due to the pandemic with many colleges handcuffed by inflated numbers with players opting to return for the free COVID season.
“I wasn’t getting worried. I was stressed. I wanted to have everything mapped out and planned out so I could start preparing for it,” Weller said. “It was getting stressful, but it’s a huge relief.”
Edwardsville coach Dustin Battas said “Arkansas Tech is very excited to have Weller” after a long recruiting process that was likely prolonged out by the pandemic.
“There were some frustrations because we thought he was undervalued. I do think some of that had to do with COVID,” Battas said. “Still, it is a great fit. Arkansas Tech is really excited to have him and they’re impressed with what kind of player he is and what type of person he is. The style of play fits him.”
In three seasons as a starter, Weller helped the Tigers go from 10-20 in Battas’ first season as head coach in 2018-19 to a 23-10 record and regional championship game appearance last year to a 13-3 record and runner-up finish in the SWC this year.
“I’m extremely grateful for everything that the program did for me,” Weller said. “Coach Battas is a great coach and role model. I really cherish the bond we made the last three years.
“All of the coaches and players, it’s one big family. It’s really like an unbreakable bond and something I hold close to my heart.”
Not only will Weller leave EHS as one of the top basketball players in program history but also one of the best in soccer.
Weller scored 28 goals and had 11 assists in two seasons on the varsity boys soccer team, including 18 goals and six assists when the Tigers finished third at the Class 3A state tournament his junior season in 2019-20.
“Sometimes people asked me if I was going to play soccer in college. I told them I was hanging up the boots. Soccer was a lot of fun and coach (Mark) Heiderscheid and coach (Randy) Chapman and all the guys were really good to me. I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world,” Weller said.
But basketball was ultimately the sport of choice for Weller, who grew up a Boston Celtics fan and idolized Larry Bird.
And now Weller will continue to make memories on the basketball court at Arkansas Tech.
“I’m excited I get to play basketball for four more years,” Weller said. “I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”
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