Former Cardinal Ritter star brings 'elite athleticism' to Redhawk hoops

The numbers put up by Murray State freshman guard Braxton Stacker last season won’t set anyone’s heart aflutter. However, if you ask fourth-year Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball coach Brad Korn about Stacker, who transferred to the Redhawk program this spring and will be eligible this coming season, he can hardly contain his excitement.

“Braxton brings a crazy level of athleticism,” Korn said. “He is an elite defender. He is a big-time, big-time athlete.”

That was evident in high school.

Stacker, who is a native of Fairview Heights, Ill., came across the Mississippi River to Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis and was part of a Lions program, which advanced to three MSHSAA Final Fours in his high school career.

As a sophomore and junior with the Lions, Stacker was part of a couple of state championship squads (Class 3 and Class 5), while in his senior season, Cardinal Ritter finished third in the state.

“Braxton comes from a great family,” Korn said. “They are just really solid people. He comes from a great high school program.”

During the 2020-21 season, Stacker was named the top defender in Missouri and averaged nearly 17 points per game and six rebounds per game as a senior.

He was an All-State selection as a senior.

Korn went to Cardinal Ritter in the fall of 2021 and watched Stacker work out, however, “we didn’t have a scholarship at that time,” according to Korn.

But Korn laid the foundation of a relationship, just in case, something he is doing this month as he and his staff scour the country evaluating players.

“We didn’t get (incoming transfers Rob Martin and Stacker) out of high school,” Korn said, “but we did recruit those guys. I was in their high school gyms in September. So, we knew those guys.

“You don’t recruit those guys with hopes that they do (transfer), but you are doing all your homework, doing good work, and casting a large net, so when they do hop into the (transfer portal), they remember you.”

Stacker saw action in 12 games this past season for the Racers and played a total of 34 minutes.

At 6-foot-5, he brings length to the perimeter defense of SEMO.

“To have that size and athleticism in the (Ohio Valley Conference),” Korn said, “it can go a long, long way.”

Korn said Stacker “is probably the best athlete on the team,” and he is projected to be among a horde of players (Aquan Smart, Evan Eursher, Asa Barnes, Dylan Branson, Marqueas Bell, and Gavyn Elkamil) battling for playing time off the ball this coming season.

“Braxton can get off the ground,” Korn said. “Braxton has that springy athleticism.”

The Redhawk coaching staff has two more evaluation periods this month before being able to hit high school gyms in September for more evaluations.

__It’s a party!__

The Southeast Missouri State men’s basketball program will be hosting its annual Block Party at Arena Park on July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is free to attend and will include food, games, activities, and lots of “face time” with the Redhawk student-athletes and coaches.

Canned food donations will be accepted and delivered to local food banks.