Slovakian forward already at home with Johnson, TCU basketball

It’s early, but Vladimir Brodziansky has already done one thing sooner than most players — earn Trent Johnson’s trust.

“Vlady’s been real consistent,” the veteran TCU coach said. “That’s one thing about him since he’s been here. Socially, academically, he’s real consistent in his behavior and his approach.”

And in his contribution on the court.

The 6-foot-10 sophomore forward from Slovakia by way of Pratt (Kan.) Community College is the Horned Frogs’ leading scorer. He has been the high scorer or second-high scorer in all but one game. Only once has he scored less than 10 points.

Through nine games, he is validating Johnson’s faith in his raw skill.

“Obviously, when we recruited him, we knew he had a feel around the basket, had great hands and could score the basketball,” Johnson said. “The only concern when you make that adjustment from high school or junior college to this level of play is if you’re going to be able to be consistent and play with the same level of confidence. And he’s done that. He’s done everything we thought he could do.”

Last season at Pratt, Brodziansky averaged 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. But that was junior college, and it was his first season in the United States. And the Horned Frogs have yet to play a game in the Big 12, the top RPI league in the country.

Still, numbers are numbers, and Brodziansky is delivering them. His 64.2 percent shooting leads the team, and he’s second in free-throw percentage (75 percent on 21-for-28) and rebounds (6.3 per game).

He’s also No. 1 on the team with 15 blocks.

“Vlad’s been a big guy to come in and score in the post and rebound as much as he has,” center Karviar Shepherd said. “Like all of our players, he gives effort all day every day, and we’re trying to continue to build on that.”

Brodziansky opened the season with a double-double against Southeastern Louisiana, scoring 19 points and getting 10 rebounds. He matched the point total two weeks ago against Colgate.

Against SMU, the best team TCU has played, Brodziansky had 18 points (on 7-for-11 shooting), seven rebounds and two blocks.

“Nothing he’s done offensively surprises me,” Johnson said. “Defensively, it’s an adjustment for him at this level of play because guys come right at him. But he’ll get better. He’ll get better. He’s real consistent. You can trust him in every aspect of what goes on.”

There are two lists where Brodziansky doesn’t show up high — turnovers and fouls. His 15 turnovers are the fourth-fewest on the team and second-fewest among the starters. In fouls, his 18 are the fourth-fewest on the team and fewest among the starters.

“He’s done everything we thought he could do,” Johnson said. “We thought he’d be a little better on the defensive end, but he’s no different than everybody on this team right now. But he’s scoring the ball for us and been very consistent. He has great hands and great feel.”

That can be trusted.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Slovakian forward already at home with Johnson, TCU basketball."