When German Kasanzi first arrived in the United States from Spain last year, his goals were to play at the highest levels of American basketball collegiately and eventually ply his trade on the professional level.
After the bullish, big-bodied 6-foot-4 guard played a vital role as a spark off the bench for Scotland Campus' 36-2 prep national team, Kasanzi has taken the initial step in turning these goals closer and closer to a reality. Now officially signed, sealed and delivered, Kasanzi is at Navarro College (TX).
The quintessential late-signee, Kasanzi garnered interest from Division-I programs such as UT-Chattanooga and Division-II Flagler College (FL) following Scotland Campus' berth in prep circuit's 2019 Prep National Tournament title game in Connecticut.
Kasanzi will gauge his grit at the Division-I JUCO level in Region 14.
"German brings a package of versatility with his ability to score at all three levels, he's an all around player who could play at several different positions," said Scotland Campus head coach Chris Chaney.
"He's tough, he's a competitor. He definitely kept getting better and better throughout the season. He's definitely a Division-I prospect."
Kasanzi's physicality in guarding multiple positions, from the 1-4, is what makes him such an intriguing threat. His fearlessness is translatable to how hard he plays, especially when he is sprawling on the floor for loose balls or grappling for possession or ripping down boards over significantly taller bigs in the paint.
While Kasanzi scored a season-best a 27 points on an array of deep 3-pointers, hard surges to the rim through contact, and transition finishes during a road win at Harcum College (PA) in November, it was his performance against IMG Academy (FL) which ultimately heightened his stock.
While 21 points and a pair of maddening four-point plays from 3-point ace Austin Galuppo (now at Weber State) led the way in Scotland's thorough 78-54 pummeling of the Florida power, Kasanzi's efforts off the bench were emblematic of Chaney's augmented and overwhelming depth.
Though he played sparingly during that convincing resume win, Kasanzi hit a 3-pointer, instigated a turnover, and dove on the floor for a loose ball.
He applied thorough, in-your-chest defense which helped keep a high-scoring offense led by Lester Quinones (now at Memphis) at bay.
"That game showed he can play with anyone," said Sullivan Brown, Scotland Campus' assistant coach and director of player development.
"Throughout the year, German made winning plays. He does what it takes to make winning plays. He likes the challenge of coming into the gym every day looking to get better. He takes to coaching and learning new concepts very well."
During Scotland's wild 77-74 win over Putnam Science during the Prep Circuit Prep National Semifinal, Kasanzi popped off the bench to hit a deep jumper and then a timely 3-pointer as the Knights seized the momentum before the half approached.
At Scotland, Kasanzi was flanked by high caliber talent. Alongside the hotly pursued Clarence Nadolny (who chose Texas Tech over Iowa State, West Virginia, Boston College, Ole Miss, N.C. State, Georgetown, and others), Karim Coulibaly (Pittsburgh), the aforementioned Galuppo (Weber State), Judah Jordan (Weber State), Chris Maidoh (Fairfield), Akrum Ahemed (Canisius), Dequarius Nicholas (SEMO), and others, he was part of a memorable team that set a school record for wins (36), average margin of victory (28.0 points), and defeated ranked foes such as Northfield Mount Hermon, Mount Zion, Putnam Science (CT), and Fork Union Military Academy (VA).
"I think German has the capabilities to be an impact player right away at JUCO, a lot of mid major plus schools should start to take notice," Brown explained.
"He's a big combination guard. He's got tough skin, he knows to handle pressure being on some big stage games and having the responsibility to produce. Plain and simple, he gets the job done."