MCC’s Poznanovic to play basketball at Chadron State

McCook Community College sophomore Martin Poznanovic signed his letter of intent Tuesday to continue his basketball at Chadron State.

MCC Coach Jacob Brandl said this 6-8 post player from Uzice, Serbia, demonstrates how a rigid work ethic can pay off, especially when you can recognize and seize even the smallest of opportunities.

Poznanovic played in just 10 games as a freshman averaging 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He returned for his sophomore season and was in the middle of the October preseason when the team traveled to Chadron for a scrimmage game that had a profound impact on his career trajectory.

Brandl said as MCC faced a much taller Chadron squad, the coach inserted Poznanovic at the 4-spot, along-side 6-11 Ezichi Kalu in the post.

"Quite frankly in that game, Martin just had his way with Chadron, he played well and gave their 4s and 5s the business all game, and I think that is what earned him a full ride." Brandl said.

Brandl said Poznanovic's strength is his tremendous work ethic and his understanding of how things work.

"He completely changed his body between his freshman and sophomore year. He came in at 6-8, 230 pounds and gained some weight his freshman year to get stronger and at the end of the season he was up to 250 but not as mobile or athletics as he had been," the coach said.

Poznanovic came back as a sophomore at 230 pounds, and Brandl said he was able to get back his athleticism while keeping his strength and maintaining both for the entire season.

"For Martin to stick with it as he has is something special because he didn't have the type of freshmen year he thought he was going to have," Brandl said. "There is growth and struggle and Martin has definitely grown as a person and a basketball player."

Poznanovic played in all 31 games for MCC as a sophomore and started 12, averaging 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds a game.

His favorite basketball memories of his two years at MCC included the Region IX tournament finals his freshman year, and the tournament-opening win on the road this year at North Platte.

"Nobody expected us to be there last year, but we did it, and things started working out for me," he said. "And also this year winning in North Platte, it always feels different in that rivalry game, a lot more special -- but it's a game I'll remember forever."

Brandl cited Poznanovic's work in a home game with Northeastern Junior College on Feb. 4, less than a day after one of the team's worst offensive games of the season in a loss against Western Nebraska.

"NJC is always among the best in the region and we ran the same play four straight times for Martin to get a post touch and he either scored or assisted every time and we completely leaned on him down the stretch," Brandl said. MCC won that game 83-76.

Poznanovic scored a season-high 23 points Nov. 23 at Central Community College going eight-for-10 from the field, one-for-one from the 3-point line and six of seven from the free-throw line.

Poznanovic said when the team scrimmaged at Chadron last fall, he really liked the basketball facilities and while he hasn't taken an official visit to tour the campus and the city, he may try and do that at some point between visits back home to Serbia this summer.

"I like the campus a lot and basketball-wise it's a really good school and I like the conference they play in," Poznanovic said. "You just know when it's the right fit for you and that's how I felt about Chadron."

"He saw an opportunity and seized it and here we are," Brandl said. "I definitely think he can go in and play right away. He fits the style they want to do and as a 4-man he can handle the basketball and pass it really well."

Poznanovic is pondering options in the engineering field and also looking at advanced math degrees. On Monday, he was named MCC's Male Academic Athlete of the year and will leave McCook with numerous MCC, MPCC and NJCAA academic awards. This past fall, he was named the Myron Mingo Male Teammate of the year.

He said he appreciates Coach Brandl bringing him to McCook, trusting in him, and giving him his first step in a college career, which is now extending another two years to Chadron.

"He's had a huge impact on my life," Poznanovic said. "And he's a great person. We made a connection here in McCook and not just about basketball."

"He's such a good dude," Brandl said. "I don't know one person in our program or on campus that doesn't like Martin Poznanovic. He's just a special person."

Earlier this year, Poznanovic was named MCC's homecoming king.

"He's going to be a professional at some level whether he goes back to his home country or stays in the states," Brandl said. "He's going to make an impact on people's lives wherever he decides to go."