Michael Ruzic led LSU in field goals made Tuesday night.
The Croatian 7-footer turned 20 a month ago but has significant professional and international experience on the hardwood. He picked LSU as the next stop on his road to the highest level.
“My goal is to to play in the NBA one day,” Ruzic said. “I talked with Coach Wade for the recruiting, and I believe in his vision and his plan for me. So far, I’ve been loving the program, loving the work I’ve been putting in, and I think it’s a good career path for me to be here at LSU.”
Ruzic made 8 of 11 shots from the floor, including a trio of slam dunks. LSU point guard Donovan Dent assisted on a pair of those. The duo has only worked together for a couple of months, but their chemistry is developing.
“Mike just does a great job of finding the open area,” Dent said. “When I’m attacking the basket, he just he roams around the rim, just finds the open gap, and then he runs the floor amazingly. It’s very easy to give him the ball on the lob when he’s out running every other player on the court. So, I think he does a great job of that.”
Wade identified Ruzic’s athleticism while scouting European players for his first roster since returning to LSU. Domestic transfers strengthened LSU’s backcourt, but the frontcourt reinforcements all came from Europe.
Ruzic was the sixth-youngest player in Joventut (Spain) history and played nearly 18 minutes per game. He was a 57% shooter who did most of his work around the rim. His success at 18 and 19 years old wasn’t simply a result of his physical development. It’s his athleticism that stands out.
“I mean, he’s such a good player,” Wade said. “Stating the obvious, right? But look, he moves a little bit different. Guys like him who move differently, that’s why they’re great players, which has allowed him to adjust.”
Ruzic has enjoyed the transition from European professional basketball to the college environment in the United States. He’s not alone. Saliou Niang, Brice Dessert and Gilad Levy also made the move to the United States.
“It’s pretty cool because it’s a different environment for us,” Ruzic said. “We’re used to a kind of different setting back in Europe, but so far, I think we have done a good job adjusting to this new environment.
“It’s also different basketball here in America than it is back overseas. So far, it’s been a great experience, and I think we do raise the raise the level for this team.”
His coach agrees.
“He’s just a great player,” Wade said. “Moves great, finishes around the rim, does everything that helps you win. He’s a great screener, really good roller, gets out of his rolls quick. Soon as he sees the guy going over top, he’s out. Just does a lot of little things that that that help you win.”
