Bronco Bureau: How will Santa Clara Men’s Basketball look in 2022-2023?

Amid a retooling roster, the Broncos will need to find their identity quickly

Riding the high of a successful 2021-2022 season, the Santa Clara Broncos men’s basketball team was rewarded with solid recruiting and the use of the transfer portal during the off season. 

After their first National Invitation Tournament berth since 1996 last season, the Broncos are looking to build on that foundation. However, this will be no easy feat; mass roster turnover poses a huge problem. Let’s take a look at just how much production the Broncos will have to replace.

2022 Departures: Jalen Williams (Drafted to the NBA), Josip Vrankic (NCAA eligibility), PJ Pipes (NCAA eligibility), Max Dorward (NCAA eligibility).

The Broncos averaged 77.3 points per game last season. But, they will lose 45.6 points per game with Williams, Vrankic and Pipes having departed. That’s 59% of the total offense gone in a snap, and the process of replacing them is a big task. This begs the question of who will step up in the upcoming season – familiar faces or newbies? Here are the fresh athletes that will represent the red and white on the floor this season.

2022 Arrivals: Kosy Akametu (freshman), Malachi Douyon (freshman), Jake Esminger (freshman), Christoph Tilly (freshman), Brendan Yaruso (freshman), Carlos Marshall Jr (graduate transfer from Tennessee State), Brandin Podziemski (transfer from Illinois).

Clearly, the Broncos have a plethora of players that will be looking to prove themselves this year. They will complement leaders like Keshawn Justice, Jaden Bediako, Parker Braun, Giordan Williams and Carlos Stewart. These returners have already made their presence known in Santa Clara basketball and hope to recapture some of its magic enroute to another postseason berth.

Senior Keshawn Justice is already making his presence known for the upcoming season. He was named to the 10-person preseason all-West Coast Conference (WCC) team as a forward for this upcoming season – the only Bronco to receive that honor this year. Santa Clara was also predicted to finish sixth in the conference, with WCC coaches expecting a light step down for the Broncos.

However, Parker Braun is optimistic about the upcoming season.

“It’s cool to talk with the media and spend some time with coach,” Braun said at WCC media day. “We are excited to go out there and compete as a team and as one.”

Their opening game is on November 7th against Eastern Washington, out of the Big Sky conference. Then, they follow up with a home game against Georgia Southern before a trip to Logan, Utah to face Utah State.

Once Thanksgiving and the holiday season rolls around, the schedule spices up. Santa Clara will be in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship against DePaul, and will face either Oklahoma State or UCF in the tournament as well. 

The Broncos face Cal Berkeley in a battle of the bay on December 18th, marking the start of a brutal stretch of six games. Afterwards, they play Boise State, USF, St. Mary’s and Gonzaga at the Leavey Center, with a quick road trip to Pepperdine sandwiched in. 

Single game tickets for this season can be purchased at https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/. Sko Cos!