Conrad, Cedar Creek's flashy guard, commits to DIII Trinity

A healthy Robert Conrad is averaging more than 20 points a game and hitting 52% of his three-pointers

By Jim Irish

After an unfortunate injury last season in which Cedar Creek’s Robert Conrad played only part of one District 23-5A basketball contest, he’s back in business. And he’s made a verbal commitment to play at the next level.

Conrad, Creek’s 5-foot-10 flashy point guard, suffered a dislocated elbow after a dive on a drive to the basket against Hendrickson on Dec. 20.

"I feel program-wise, I could grow."

-- Cedar Creek point guard on reason for verbal commitment to Trinity

The Eagles, who had started the season with a 14-1 record and captured two tournaments, won only three games after Conrad’s injury.

With Conrad now healthy and directing the offense, the Eagles have sprinted to a 7-2 start. He’s averaging almost 21 points a game and hitting 52% of his three-pointers.

After last season’s injury, Conrad is determined to remain healthy for his season year.

Despite being 5-foot-10, Conrad can sky for the dunk

“I’m trying to go two (feet) more (to the basket) instead of one and then the dive, so I can be there for my teammates,” said Conrad, a four-year starter. “(So) I don’t get hurt…”

Conrad, who played AAU summer basketball with Austin’s CTX Knights, received interest from DIII’s Trinity University in San Antonio and Austin’s Concordia University, and Georgetown’s Southwestern.

“I feel like (DIII) is where I belong,” said Conrad, who is accurate from long distance, penetrates the lane, and even dunks despite being under six feet.

He made a verbal commitment to Trinity before the start of the season. Trinity, which is a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, is off to a 2-0 start.

He said he will receive an academic scholarship of about 50% and plans to major in business or kinesiology.

“I feel program-wise, I could grow,” he said about Trinity.

Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas