Prospect Profile: Brandin Podziemski

<p>With the dust finally settling after an exciting and entertaining AAU season, prospects will begin preparations for the upcoming high school season. Perhaps no prospect is better prepared for a breakout year than Brandin Podziemski. Showing promise as a sophomore at SJNMA, Podziemski netted 22.5 points, picked up 9.3 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists per game.</p> <p>Coming off a productive sophomore season, the expectations for Podziemski to perform well on the AAU Circuit were high. During the spring and summer, the 6'5" SG did not show any signs of slowing down. Hammering his foot on the gas pedal, Podziemski put opposing defenses through a shredder like unwanted bills. His phenomenal spring necessitated a top ten ranking, but he has much more to prove. Podziemski recently led Wisconsin RAP to the Prep Hoops Summer Challenge championship. Before his team could leave with <em>"Summer Challenge Champs"</em> plastered on their chest, they had to navigate through dangerous waters, which were filled with star-studded rosters. With Podziemski wearing the captain hat, RAP went 6-0 during three days of continuous action.  Most of his peers in the 2021 class play at the 16U level, but  Podziemski wins tournaments at the 17U level. </p> <p>Also playing baseball, Podziemski says that he has more college interest from baseball schools than basketball schools. Although that could be quick to change. When college coaches were allowed to reach out to junior prospects, Podziemski heard from Iowa and Miami (OH). With high major potential, the SG should see his basketball recruitment take off in the very near future. </p> <p>Before colleges start to beg him to attend their school, Podziemski has some things to improve. being transparent he said, "My scoring ability from all 3 levels, creating for others, and most importantly my defense." The Wisconsin RAP star also said that he would like to be the best lockdown defender on the court. "[I would like to be] Guarding the best player on every team I play." </p> <p>He has some things to work on, but few prospects are truthfully ever able to say that their game is perfected. It has not been his weakness that catches the eyes of scouts, but his strengths are obvious and alluring. "[My strengths are] Definitely my shooting ability and my leadership; keeping my guys as one out on the court," he said when asked where he excels. Finding the net on 45 percent of his three-point attempts last year, Podziemski has already convinced defenders to go over on ball screens. </p> <p>Wisconsin RAP has been one of the best teams in the Prep Hoops Circuit this Spring and Summer. Podziemski has been a big reason for all of RAP's success. "AAU season has been good. I think our team chemistry was a little bit of a roadblock these basketball tournaments, but I feel like we’re slowly getting it back. Playing up with 17U is more of a challenge, which I love, but when I go back down to the 16U it is much easier and I can get buckets on anybody. I feel the other competition is better for me because it not only improves me as a player but it improves me as a leader," stated Podziemski. </p> <p>Often times, prospects have goals that don't align with their mettle and work ethic. This is not the case for Podziemski. "State championship is the number one goal. Number two definitely try to make it to one of the elite events like the ball is life game, or McDonald’s All American. And Number three, keep improving on all my stats and ultimately at the end of the day leave my high school with a GPA of 4.0 or better, and go to a division one college that I do not have to pay any money for." All three of these goals are well within reach for the junior after an impressive start to his career.  </p> <p>With two more years in high school and one more full AAU season, Podziemski has more than enough time to play well in front of college scouts. As he grows as a basketball player, it is hard to imagine a situation where Podziemski does not reach his goal of becoming a D1 basketball player. </p>