SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After an impressive showing at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week, Santa Clara sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski has made the decision to remain in the draft, officially putting an end to his collegiate career.
"Santa Clara University, thank you for the best year of my life. The moments and memories created with my teammates, friends and coaches is something I'll forever look back on. With that being said, I'll be keeping my name in the 2023 NBA Draft and foregoing my college eligibility. Once again, Santa Clara, thank you for making me family, and I'm happy to say I can call this place 'home' forever," Podziemski said in a farewell video posted to his instagram.
Gods hands Gods plan. Thank you Santa Clara University for everything this year. I'm glad I get the call this place home FOREVER!❤️���� #TWAGW #4L #NBADRAFT pic.twitter.com/pOjpQ4kI4D
— Brandin Podziemski (@brandinpodziem2) May 19, 2023
While Podziemski played just one season for the Broncos, it was certainly a one to remember. After transferring to Santa Clara from the University of Illinois, the former four-star prospect from Greenfield, Wisc. found immediate success and pieced together one of the finest seasons in program history. Podziemski started 32 of 33 games where he averaged just shy of 20 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He earned Co-Player of the Year honors from the WCC, was an All-District selection by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), earned All-America honors from the Lou Henson Award as a finalist and set a school record four WCC Men's Basketball Player of the Week Awards.
Podziemski put up eye-popping numbers throughout the season, finishing with four 30-point games, 15 games with 20 or more points, and 29 double-figure scoring efforts. He led the WCC with 13 double-doubles – the most by a Bronco since John Bryant's 15 in 2008-09 – and had a season-high of 38 points against Pacific, which is tied for the 10th-highest scoring game in program history. He pulled down a career-best 18 rebounds as part of a double-double in SCU's regular season home finale against Pepperdine. His best assist count was nine, which was one shy of giving him a triple-double in the WCC Tournament vs. San Francisco.
Just like former Bronco Great Jalen Williams before him, Podziemski boosted his draft profile tremendously with his performance at the combine. Entering the event as an intriguing, "sleeper" pick, "Podz" has showcased his abilities on the national stage and is looking more and more like a bonafide draft pick come draft day (June 22). Most draft projections currently have the 6-foot-5 prospect being selected in the late first to early second round.
