SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball received more great news on Saturday with the official addition of transfer guard Brandin Podziemski, who joins the Broncos after spending one season at Illinois. Head coach Herb Sendek made the announcement.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brandin to our Bronco Basketball Family and the Santa Clara University Community," Sendek said. "Brandin's passion for the game, work ethic and versatile skill set will translate exceptionally well into our culture and style of play. Let's go Broncos!"
A four-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting cycle, Podziemski initially chose the Illini over an impressive offer list that included Kansas, Arizona State, Kentucky, Loyola Chicago and Marquette. He spent one season with the program where he appeared in 16 games in a reserve role, finishing the 2021-22 campaign averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per contest. The guard had a season-high of seven points, which he recorded in back-to-back games vs. Saint Francis PA and Missouri.
A native of Muskego, Wis., Podziemski left the high school ranks as one of the most decorated players in Wisconsin state history. A three-time all-state selection, he played three seasons at St. John's Northwestern where he compiled a total of 2,154 points, becoming the first player in Wisconsin state history to amass 2,000 points in just three varsity seasons. After averaging 22.5 points as a sophomore and 27.6 points per game as a junior, Podziemski's senior year was one for the record books as the 6-foot-5 prospect averaged 35.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.0 steals per game en route to being named both the 2021 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball and the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year.
Podziemski's senior campaign saw the sharpshooter rack up 974 points, the seventh-most in a single season in state history, while shooting 60.4 percent from the floor. He led the state with 108 made 3-point field goals while shooting 43.4 percent from beyond the arc. On January 30, 2021, he set the school record for points in a game with a 50-point barrage against Pewaukee.
A consensus four-star recruit, Podziemski was ranked No. 63 overall by Rivals, No. 70 in the Top247 and No. 107 by the 247Sports Composite. He was also the No. 3 overall recruit from the state of Wisconsin according to 247Sports.
Podziemski is the third signee of the offseason for Santa Clara joining Jake Ensiminger and Carlos Marshall Jr.
