Brandon Podziemski
Kentucky recruiting target Brandin Podziemski, a 6-5 Wisconsin guard, has a close connection with the UK coaching staff. Podziemski’s AAU coach is Antonio Curro, who had the same role with former Wildcat Tyler Herro.
Just don’t ask Curro to compare the two players.
“Comparing him to Tyler is disrespectful to Tyler because he has busted his butt to create his own story,” Curro said. “Tyler is an advanced student of the game. He wants it and he loves it and he desires to be great. Whether Brandin gets to that point Tyler has, we’ll see. Brandin is very humble but he’s also a hard worker.
“They are both their own person and will write their own story Both are hard workers who love the game. It’s just unfair to compare the two because they are not the same. Tyler and Brandin are completely different players. Each is special in their own way. Tyler has earned what he’s got. Brandin still has to get there but he has the skill set, heart and desire to be great in his own way.”
Podziemski is averaging 35.0, 10.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals and hitting 43.3 percent from 3-point range. He’s three wins away from a Wisconsin state championship after Thursday’s win when he had 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and six steals.
Podziemski narrowed his list of college choices to Kentucky, Illinois, Miami, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest earlier Thursday on his birthday.
Curro always thought Herro would be successful but thought he likely would be at UK for two years, not just one year before he left for the NBA and stardom with the Miami Heat.
“It’s all about fit,” Curro said. “Kenny Payne was outstanding with him, did an unbelievable job with him. It was a great fit for Tyler at Kentucky.
“Tyler got drafted by the perfect spot for him. Pat Riley is the perfect GM (general manager). He has the perfect coach and developed a great relationship with the veteran players there. Miami just fit for him.
“If he was being asked to score 40 points and the expectations did not fit, it would not work. But nothing Tyler does surprises me. Even if you were cautiously optimistic about Tyler, the thing about him that is different is that he believes in himself and paid the price to succeed every day.
“That work ethic sets him apart and he deserves all this success because he has worked for it. He believed in himself and his family believed in him. He’s doing fabulous and I could not be prouder of him.”
Who knows? Maybe Podziemski’s path will be like Herro’s because when Herro came to UK no one anticipated he would be the NBA star he is now.
