Ep. 5: Student-Athletes, Recruiting, and Life as a Team Captain with Brandon Lieb

In this episode, Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with Deerfield native and Illinois State captain Brandon Lieb to dive into his basketball journey. Brandon reflects on growing up in a tight-knit basketball community, navigating an unusual COVID-era recruiting process, and earning a spot at the University of Illinois before transferring to Illinois State in search of a bigger role. He shares what it was like to transition from high school standout to Division I athlete, what it takes on a day-to-day basis to succeed as a student-athlete, and the lessons he learned about leadership. Brandon also opens up about being voted team captain, the Redbirds’ pursuit of an NCAA tournament berth, and his advice for young athletes and families navigating the recruiting landscape.