The world of college basketball is one that is, many times, full of instant gratification, it’s a world where an 18-year old freshman can come in, dominate, win player of the year and get drafted first overall. Because of this, development can be overlooked, “What can you do for me in the future?” Is dominated by, “What have you done for me lately?” And, “What can you do for me tomorrow?”
Fans are, sometimes, willing to write off a player before they even get a chance, before they even know their story.
Enter Kenan Guzonjic (Ken-en Gooz-ah-nich), a 6-8, 245-pound sophomore from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina by way of Midland Junior College. Or maybe he’s from Midland Junior College by way of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina because he… You know what, let’s just cut to the story.
Guzonjic was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, growing up in a country in a post-war state, Kenan fashioned dreams of playing basketball in America, just like his brother Esmir, who played at North Alabama. Before his senior year of high school, Guzonjic decided to make the move, playing his final season at Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas.
He parlayed that season into a chance to play JuCo ball at Midland College in Texas where he enjoyed a solid freshman season, averaging just over eight points and five rebounds per game. The left-handed big man was all set for his Sophomore season before tearing his meniscus, which forced him to go home for rehab.
When Dustin Thomas transferred to Arkansas, it opened up the door for Tad Boyle to go out and find a stretch-four and he came across Guzonjic. The under-the-radar prospect came to Boulder in the summer and, as he’ll tell you, he’s been navigating the learning curve ever since.
“When I got here it was a big transition just because of the level of play on the court,” he explained. “The toughness, the athleticism, it’s been pretty hard and I’m still getting adjusted to it. My main goal is to get used to this game, get back in shape and be ready to help the team.”
Getting in shape has been the hardest part.
“I came off of surgery, sat out a year and I wasn’t doing much back home,” he admitted. “I didn’t have facilities to work at so when I got here I was out of shape. That was my biggest problem, everybody here is in really good shape, they’re athletic and I had to catch up with them. I’m still working on that.”
As the season has progressed, the man they call “K-Butter” has gotten into better shape daily, working extra hours with strength and conditioning coach James Hardy, and it’s beginning to pay off. Guzonjic looked his best in a game where he got his most minutes (9) against Hampton and while that’s far from Pac-12 play, he’s seeing his work pay off against some serious Pac-12 competition.
“I see myself being able to score over Josh [Scott] and Wes [Gordon] now,” he said. “In the beginning, it was really hard because I couldn’t jump enough or I wasn’t fast enough, now I can see myself scoring better, running up and down the court better, everything.”
There might not be a better way to cut your teeth than against those two, arguably the best frontcourt in the conference, and there might not be a better mentor than the senior leader.
“I talk to Josh [Scott] a lot, I hang out with him a lot,” Guzonjic explained. “He’s the one that’s really helping me get to where I want to be, every player has been helping me but Josh Scott is the one.”
“He’s been here four years he knows how to play against players at this level,” added the big man. “When I play against he gives me advice. For example, he tells me, don’t try to fight with somebody for position, be in position before he even gets there, how to best score over somebody, how to best go after an offensive rebound, stuff like that.”
Like his roommate and fellow European Thomas Akyazili, it seems the whole team has taken a liking to “K-Butter,” you’ll see them cheering him on as his drops in a left-handed hook over Scott or Gordon in practice, or as he shows off his new fitness by beating the whole team down the court in sprints. But, with that being said, it’s still nice to have someone to relate to.
“We really hang out a lot, we’re in the same position so we understand each other,” he explained of Akyazili. “It’s been a really good thing to have somebody from, kind of, the same place as you are, someone that actually can understand you.”
After that strong performance against Hampton, it seemed Guzonjic may be the logical replacement for Tory Miller, who sat out the game against Stanford with a concussion, but Boyle went a different direction, going small and noting that Kenan was nursing a blister. The decision didn’t hurt his confidence, though.
“I was ready, I was ready to get in there but I’m just going to keep working hard and wait for my chance,” told the Bosnian. “When I get that chance, I’m going to do my best to take advantage of it.”
His chance will come, how soon it does is yet to be seen but if you’re already looking to write off the sophomore and you won’t take it from me, take it from Tad Boyle, who said on Tuesday, “I have not lost faith in Kenan in any way, shape or form.”
