Bradley basketball secures another commitment from the Wardle family

Emy Wardle is staying in Peoria to continue her basketball career.

The Peoria Notre Dame senior-to-be announced on social media her verbal commitment to play for Bradley University. Wardle had scholarship offers from DePaul, Eastern Kentucky, Northern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, North Alabama and Vermont.

“Staying home ❤️ #committed,” she posted on Wednesday, June 17.

During her junior season, the 5-foot-9 guard averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.8 steals for Peoria Notre Dame, which went 21-8 and appeared in a Class 3A regional semifinal. She earned all-Big 12 Conference first team, Journal Star All-Area first team, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state first team and Illinois Media Class 3A second team.

Wardle, who is the youngest daughter of Bradley men’s basketball head coach Brian Wardle, will join her older sister, Mya Wardle, on the Hilltop for the 2027-28 season. Bradley went 20-13 overall and 13-7 in Missouri Valley Conference under head coach Kate Popovec-Goss, who left to be the Boston College head coach in March.

New head coach Chaia Meier will make her debut in the 2026-27 season.