Zac Rzewnicki
G, Ridgewood, Sr.
College: St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) (Division II)
Star quality: The 6-foot-4 shooting guard averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals per game for the Rebels (17-11). The Harwood Heights resident recorded 38 points and 10 rebounds in a Metro Suburban Red game against Chicago Christian, the conference champion, on Feb. 17. He also put up big numbers in non-conference games against eventual Class 4A regional-title winners Loyola (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Larkin (28 points, 18 rebounds and a half-court buzzer-beater). A spot-up shooter early in his career, Rzewnicki has added strength and gained the ability to score off the dribble. “He can score, he can definitely score,” Ridgewood coach Chris Mroz said. “He’s got a knack for how to play and shoot from the outside, and he can rebound too.” A four-year starter, Rzewnicki finished his career as Ridgewood’s all-time leader in points (1,817) and rebounds (630). He was an Associated Press Class 3A All-state Second-team selection and he was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association special-mention team in Class 3A/4A. Rzewnicki scored a 31 on his ACT.
Fun fact: Rzewnicki is an avid reader who said via text that he reads “pretty much everything,” and that he has read several books by horror fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft, who lived from 1890-1937.
Favorite NBA player: James Harden, Houston Rockets: “He is silky smooth and makes everything look effortless,” Rzewnicki said via text. “He looks slower than everybody else, yet he has the ball on a string and just cooks people one-on-one. He also has good vision.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
