Broncos in the Pros: A Summer Draft Roundup
The 2022-2023 calendar year was highlighted by many achievements, changes, and challenges, and among the most impressive were the feats of Santa Clara’s Division I athletes. The recent athletic successes for the Broncos have not gone unnoticed, even by the big leagues. Two Bronco stars from the baseball and basketball teams were drafted during the summer months, looking to continue their respective athletic careers into the foreseeable future.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
After a highly successful 2023 campaign, star Bronco guard Brandin Podziemski was drafted by the nearby Golden State Warriors with the 19th pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. The Greenfield, Wisconsin native only spent one season with the Broncos, but his performance on the court was enough to propel him to the top of the prospects list for many NBA teams. Podziemski was awarded co-West Coast Conference (WCC) Player of the Year , Newcomer of the Year, and was also named a finalist of the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award. He averaged 19.9 points per game, complemented with 8.8 boards and 3.7 assists per game. Podziemski was one of only three players in NCAA Division I to average over 19/8/3 last season.
Santa Clara Head Coach Herb Sendek exclaimed, “What a brilliant, fabulous season Brandin had for the Broncos. We will be there every step of the way.”
Just one year prior, former Bronco standout Jalen Williams was drafted with the 12th overall selection, making this the first time since 1985-1986 that two Santa Clara players have been drafted in back-to-back years. Podziemski is the program’s 28th overall NBA Draft selection and the sixth to go in the first round.
Skylar Hales, Texas Rangers
Not to be overlooked by Podziemski is standout Bronco pitcher Skylar Hales. In July, Hales was selected by the Texas Rangers with the 108th pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, Santa Clara’s highest-drafted ballplayer since Mitch White in 2016. Hales’ impressive fastball caught the eye of teams around the league, as did his consistency and durability throughout the 2023 season. Hales played an instrumental role in helping the Broncos win the WCC and reach the NCAA Regionals. Hales appeared in 22 games last spring, posting a 3.42 ERA and tossing 69 strikeouts.
Hales was also promoted to the Rangers High A affiliate this week, ascending to the fourth tier team as a rookie. In addition to his vaunted fastball, Texas’s organization has been pleased with his sweeper pitch and his 2.16 earned run average (ERA) in the low A team. It’s a promising start for the rookie from Reno, NV and more looks to be in his future.