Mike Sheridan, Villanova’s Director of Media Relations, put out a press release this afternoon eliminating any lingering uncertainty about the registration status of Mislav Brzoja, a 6-4 guard from Zagreb, Croatia. Sheridan reports that Brzoja "has been added to the Villanova Basketball roster and will be eligible to compete as a freshman in 2012-13. Brzoja spent the 2011-12 academic year at Traders Point Christian Academy in Whitespoint, Ind., where he helped his squad post a 24-3 record.
This summer he played a pivotal role for Croatia at the U18 European Championships. Brzoja averaged 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest in eight outings at the championship. Croatia defeated Russia 61-57 in the semifinals and Lithuania 88-76 in the championship game on Aug. 19.
"We’re excited about what Mislav will bring to our basketball team," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "He had a great U18 championship for Croatia
, where he captained his team to a gold medal. Mislav is an outstanding student and tough competitor who will add to the perimeter depth of our team."
Brzoja becomes the fifth notable newcomer added to the Villanova roster since the end of 2011-12. Junior Tony Chennault transferred from
Wake
Forest
and will be eligible to compete this season after the NCAA granted the 6-2 guard a hardship waiver. Dylan Ennis transferred from Rice after playing one season there and will sit out the ’12-13 campaign before becoming eligible in 2013-14. And freshmen Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu signed national letters of intent last November."
We also discovered the answer to the question you have all been asking: "How do you pronounce that anyway?"
Me-slav Bro-zoy-ah
