From Burlington to a Blue Blood.
When Drew Sharnowski, the former Burlington Central star, hit the transfer portal this spring following his redshirt sophomore season at Belmont, he instantly became a recruiting priority for high-major programs. And why not?
Scharnowski is a blossoming big man with a high level of athleticism and fluidity to go with his 6-9 size. He runs the floor, soars above the rim with high-flying dunks and blocks shots. Throw in the fact he plays the biggest position of need in college basketball and Scharnowski was immediately coveted.
There was an endless list of high-major suitors and options, including much of the Big Ten. He could have also stayed right in Nashville, where Belmont is located, and played in the SEC for Vanderbilt, a program that was in pursuit right to the end.
But along came Duke, the Blue Blood program. Coach Jon Scheyer and his staff became enamored with an emerging player who fit what they were looking for.
Scharnowski, who put up 10.7 points, six rebounds and 2.6 assists a game and was a first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference player, recently committed to Duke.
“Growing up, playing at Duke was always a dream, so in that sense I definitely imagined it,” Scharnowski said. “But having them actually reach out during the portal process was unexpected and really special.”
Like everyone involved in the transfer market, Scharnowski says he felt the speed of the portal process. But he also knew he needed to put a whole lot of thought in his decision process. Those two don’t always work simultaneously together.
“I didn’t want to get caught up in everything that comes with a name like Duke,” Scharnowski admitted. “I tried to stay grounded throughout the process and lean on my support system.”
But in the end it was impossible to ignore all that Duke had to offer. He also gained self-assurance in knowing how Duke approaches the portal.
“Duke’s reputation speaks for itself,” Scharnowski said. “They develop winners and NBA players. They’re also very selective in the portal, so I knew that if they were recruiting me, they really believed in me and saw how I could fit into their system. That gave me a lot of confidence that it was the right place.”
Always the prototype “high-upside prospect,” Schnarnowski tapped into that this past season after redshirting as a freshman and playing a limited role off the bench a year ago. Even as a college player, Schnarnowski is still just scratching the surface of what he can become.
But over the past year, Scharnowski made it clear to see where he’s headed as a player. He turned the corner this past season, becoming more aggressive and using his athleticism to at times overwhelm opponents at the mid-major level.
Burlington Central coach Brett Porto saw the potential first-hand and then has watched his former star blossom in college. Porto is quick to point out that it always went beyond the easy-to-see talent when it came to Scharnowski.
“When you match how hard he played, and how he wanted the best for his teammates, with his work ethic, I think his confidence in his abilities just continues to grow and take him to new heights,” Porto said.
“It’s a mix of maturity and physical development,” Schnarnowski said of his steady rise. “I had to grow into my body, and a lot of credit goes to our strength coach at Belmont, coach Lee Scott. He really invested in me, both as a player and a person.”
With the added production and the improved physical development, the confidence began to soar for Scharnowski. Plus, digging into what made him originally fall in love with the game helped his overall mindset.
“The biggest thing has been keeping that same free-flowing style I had when I was younger,” Scharnowski said. “Growing up I played with a pure love and joy for the game, and holding onto that joy has been a big part of my success. My faith has also played a big role in that. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that I am someone who plays basketball, but basketball is not what defines me.”
He believes that approach has taken the pressure off of him and allows him to play more freely. It’s also the impetus of his belief going forward, whether it’s playing in the Missouri Valley Conference or the premier college basketball program in the country.
“I try to carry a level of confidence where I truly believe I can achieve anything through my work and preparation,” Scharnowski said. “My long-term goal hasn’t changed — it’s always been the NBA — and I believe Duke gives me the best opportunity and resources to reach that. I also want to be a part of continuing Duke’s tradition and competing for a national championship.”