Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
BY JAKE LIEBERMAN
Fur-star senior Brandin Podziemski announced his top five schools on Thursday: Kentucky, Illinois, Miami, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest have made his cut.
The 6-foot-6, 195-pond guard from St. John’s Northwestern Academies (WI) School is currently averaging 35 points per game this season.
Only Wednesday, Vanderbilt offered and now they are in his final cut.
His coaches rave about his work ethic and upside.
“Brandin’s upside continues to be through the roof,” said St. John’s Northwestern assistant coach D.J. Mlachnik said last fall. “You could see it in him since 8th grade. His work ethic, determination, competitiveness, and passion for the game are inspiring. He has always been a kid that sees no limits; when he wants something he goes and gets it.
“Brandin has always been one of the best shooters in the state over the last 2-3 years, no doubt about it. But over the summer after his sophomore season after earning All-State, until now, Brandin has worked incredibly hard to add to his game and his skill set continues to expand. “His biggest improvement has been his creativity with his dribble and working to create out of isolation situations and ball screens. The kid is a flat-out scorer, and if you take a breathe on him, he’s going to get a bucket.”
Antonio Curro of NY2LA compared him to Chris Mullin, Manu Ginobli and Luke Kennard.
“He’s one of the top pure perimeter shooters in the country, but he’s more than that,” Curro said. “He fills the box score, competes and he can defend multiple positions
“He’s a max effort guy game in and game out, ultra-competitive. He’s the first one in the gym and the last one to leave every day.”
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