[Men's Basketball] Local talent, Christian Straw, commits to ONU Men's Basketball

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Local standout, Christian Straw, is the most recent addition to the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball 2018 recruiting class. Head coach Ralph Hodge and the Tigers are pleased to add the six-foot one-inch, shooting guard from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School.

Following his senior season, Straw received All-Conference honors in the South West Suburban Conference (SWSC), SWSC Top Six, Daily Journal All-Area and was selected as the team's MVP. He was also the first recipient of the Zach Hollywood Rebounding Award at the Kankakee Holiday Tournament this season and earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Thanksgiving Tournament. This season he finished with the area's second-highest free throw percentage (.820). In 2017, Straw was a participant in the IHSA Three-Point Shooting Competition and was named Daily Journal All-Area Special Mention.

Straw had an increased role as a senior and he took advantage of the situation.  On the season, he averaged 13.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists, shooting 36.1 percent from the three-point line, 41.8 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throws line. Against Thornwood, he scored a career-high 29 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists.

Over his final two seasons, Straw made 110 three-pointers and finished his career with the second-highest free-throw percentage in BBCHS history. He ranks in the top seven all-time in three-pointers made.

Straw had much to say about his decision to play at ONU. "Olivet holds a strong heritage for me. The size of Olivet makes it a great place to grow relationships with both faculty and students. Its focus on faith and a personal relationship with Christ are its greatest qualities. I do believe I belong here and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me as a student and a basketball player."

In addition to playing for the Boilers, Straw also played AAU for Example Sports Elite. He and his team traveled to Kansas, Atlanta, Minnesota, Missouri, Chicago, Indiana and the Under Armour Finals.

Straw plans on studying accounting while at Olivet. He was named an Illinois State Scholar in 2018, earned High Honors for Academics all eight semesters at BBCHS, will graduate Summa Cum Laude and in top 10 percent of his graduating class. Straw is also a member of the National Honor Society and was also named SWSC All-Academic in 2018.

Christian and his family attend College Church of the Nazarene - University Avenue. He has participated in Regional Celebrate Life for six years and attended NYC in Louisville. He will be joining his older brother, Austin, at Olivet, who currently plays for men's soccer team.