Bartlett, led by 7-3 Conrad Luczynski, dominates West ChicagoMichael O’Brienon December 3, 2021 at 3:04 am

Bartlett’s Conrad Luczynski (54) plays strong in the low post as the Hawks host West Chicago. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Conrad Luczynski was 7-2 at the start of the season. That’s an eye-popping height, but the Bartlett senior has already grown another inch. He’s now 7-3.

Conrad Luczynski was 7-2 at the start of the season. That’s an eye-popping height, but the Bartlett senior has already grown another inch. He’s now 7-3.

“I’ve always been the tallest kid,” Luczynski said. “In first grade I was taller than some of my teachers.”

Luczynski isn’t one of those tall kids that is playing basketball because he’s kind of forced to. That’s clear from his soft touch around the basket and at the free-throw line.

“I’ve been playing since I was four,” Luczynski said. “It’s in my blood. My dad played college ball over in Poland.”

Luczynski scored 16 points and grabbed six boards in Bartlett’s 65-28 win against visiting West Chicago on Thursday. He played about half the game.

Luczysnki said he’s talking to some colleges but that he doesn’t have a scholarship offer. That’s strange to hear from an athletic, 7-3 player.

“He loves the game and he’s got all the tools,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “He’s arguably the most under-recruited kid I’ve ever seen. Probably since John Konchar, who went to West Chicago and is now playing in the pros.”

Luczynski has been on a tear this season. He had 33 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a win against Wheaton Academy. He posted 21 points and 13 rebounds against Francis Parker and opened the season with a phenomenal 18 points, 20 rebounds, nine blocks and eight assists against Metea Valley.

“I don’t understand why colleges aren’t all over him,” Wolfsmith said. “He’s got everything you need to have. Big, long and athletic and he can shoot it and handle and loves to pass the ball. I can’t say enough about how hard the kid works.”

Luczynski is 17 and still growing. Wolfsmith thinks that he may hit 7-4 before he’s done.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times
Bartlett’s Conrad Luszynski (54) towers over his team during a game against West Chicago.

“He’s still a baby,” Wolfsmith said. “He’s not an awkward seven-footer. This is not a guy tripping over his own feet. He runs the floor and he can dunk. He’s got a really nice outside shot although he doesn’t really do it for us.”

Luczynski threw down a fastbreak dunk against West Chicago. He was 6 for 6 shooting and made all four of his free throws. He had two blocks and a pair of assists.

Sophomore Kelton McEwen scored 14 for the Hawks (4-2, 1-0 Upstate Eight).

“Every time we walk out of the locker room we see all the fans and the other team just staring at [Luczynski] and whispering about him and stuff like that. It’s definitely crazy. The first time I saw him I was amazed.”

Sophomore Hudson Parker led West Chicago (1-3, 0-1) with 10 points. The Wildcats are very young this season, starting three sophomores and a junior.

Read More

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *