Colorado keeps the momentum rolling, locking down Top-80 senior Sebastian Rancik

October 20, 2023 by Max Feldman

THE LEAD

Sebastian Rancik, the 76th overall prospect in 2024, has committed to Colorado. The Slovakian national chose the Buffs over USC and Oklahoma, joining fellow Top-100 prospects Andrew Crawford and Doryan Onwuchekwa en route to Boulder.

BACKGROUND

Rancik first popped onto my radar in last summer's FIBA U18 European Championship play, and the momentum carried over stateside. With the Slovakian national team, he put up 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game, including a 30 point outburst against Norway. The skilled forward is the son of former Iowa State standout and current Bulls player development specialist, Martin Rancik. The 6-9 F took official visits to Boulder and USC.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Tad Boyle and the Buffs staff are on a bit of a heater on the recruiting trail these past two cycles. Both Crawford and Rancik are two West Coast natives whom the staff built early relationships with, prior to their rise onto the national radar. Going into Texas and nabbing Doryan Onwuchekwa, a high-floor, high-upside big, with a number of SEC and Big 12 programs in the mix was another impressive win. The Buffs enter the Big 12 with a Top 25 recruiting class in 2024-25. They'll move onto 2025 in terms of high school recruiting.

MY TAKE

Big fan of what Rancik can bring to the table, especially in the right setting. He'll take time to acclimate to the next level physically, but the Buffs have shown the ability to get the most out of skilled forwards who have a deep understanding of the game. The Cali-based forward struggled a bit to find his groove this spring and summer, but has a promising blend of feel, connective playmaking, rebounding and mismatch creation. Continued growth as a shooter and improved quickness to shore up his defensive projection will be areas to monitor, but I've continuously come away intrigued by creativity and raw basketball instincts at 6-9.

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