NIXA, Mo. — Christian Bundy carries a big smile to go with a big frame.
He’s a “late bloomer” in the words of Nixa head coach Jay Osborne, and he’s blossomed into one of Nixa’s biggest weapons.
Hearing his name called is new to Eagle fans. The Bundy name has bounced around around the basketball scene in Southwest Missouri for a decade now.
“They are totally different players, and two great kids from a great family,” Osborne said.
Christian is the youngest of three boys, behind Kameron and Connor. The former was an all-state performer at point guard at Nixa. One year after his senior season, he hoisted a Division II National Championship at Drury and would go on to finish as a Top 10 scorer in program history.
“Kameron was… IS a great player. Everything is just so fluid for him,” Christian said. “I love watching my brother play.”
The youngest Bundy knew long before nearly everyone how Kameron was capable of playing. Like many siblings, they spent countless nights playing one-on-one, dunking on lowered rims, and just learning the game with each other and their father.
“I remember one time, I went up for a lay-up and Kameron just clocked me. I fell to the ground and I was crying. My dad was like: ‘Get up! Stop crying!’
“The close games, lots of tears… it’s helped me out.”
Now it’s Christian who gets to do the bullying in Nixa’s post. After still dabbling for a few quarters in junior varsity at the start of last season, he began to show flashes in the last two months of the year.
After losing four seniors, he’s led Nixa to a 6-0 start while averaging 23.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in their first five contests. He’s also thrown down 10 dunks on the year.
Osborne believes his totals could be higher, if that’s what the Eagles require.
“At Nixa, we preach such team basketball that I don’t think his numbers will reflect his true talent,” he said. “He distributes the ball and he’s unselfish. If you ask him, he’d say the same thing. He just wants our program to be successful.”
Using his 6-5 frame and the toughness he learned banging around with his brothers is a good place to start.
“He’s finishing shots inside and getting to the free throw line. His vertical, elevation, quickness, and stamina are all better. Based on my experience, when kids become seniors they get that sense of urgency. I think he’s reached that.”
That doesn’t mean he’s stopped having fun. In fact, being an elder statesman with his three fellow seniors has opened up the game for him.
“It feels really great to be able to have a leading role on the team,” he said.” I’ve been playing with some of these guys since about sixth grade so it’s great to go out there, have fun, and do what we do.”
He greets the team’s expectations the same way? He’s just playing basketball.
“It just feels like tradition. We definitely want to go to state. That’s our biggest goal this year.”
