Brandin Podziemski
Kentucky recruiting Brandin Podziemski has been named the Wisconsin player of the year by the Associated Press after putting up huge numbers for St. John’s Northwestern Academies this season. The 6-6 guard scored 974 points — seventh-best single-season total in state history. He had at least 20 points and shot at least 50 percent in all but three games of 27 games, one reason he became just the 44th Wisconsin player ever to score 2,000 or more points in his high school career. He averaged 35.1 points, 10 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
His team didn’t win the state championship but did reach the sectional final in Division 3 where it lost to eventual state runner-up Lake Country Lutheran.
Podziemski made major strides in his play during the pandemic season. His scoring average went up 7.5 points per game and he got to the foul line more. Podziemski shot 60.4 percent (353 of 584), including 43.4 percent (108 of 249) from three-point range. He also shot 81 percent (133 of 163) from the free throw line.
He narrowed his college choices to Kentucky, Illinois, Miami, Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt but has not indicated when he may make a final decision. The spring signing period starts April 14.
“We are in the midst of figuring out what is the best fit, what’s right for me and what is going to get me to the NBA as quick as possible. That’s where we are right now,” Podziemski said after winning the state’s top player award.
