Austen Wroblewski is next in line of Mars boys basketball stars. Why has he decided not to play in college?
Mars fans should get a good look at Austen Wroblewski this high school basketball season.
They probably won’t see the Planets’ senior standout on the hardwood afterward.
Wroblewski, who averaged 17.8 points per game and bucketed 40.8% of his 3-point tries as a junior for a team that went 14-13, made the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals and qualified for the PIAA tournament, plans on giving up hoops to study exercise science at Slippery Rock University.
“I wanna go to college for a good education and then, after college, get a good job. ... I think people are surprised (when I tell them),” Wroblewski said earlier this month at Butler Eagle Basketball Media Day. “Like, around Mars. They see that I’m a pretty good player, so they’re like, ‘Why aren’t you playing?’ But they don’t really know the bigger picture (for me).”
Second-year Mars coach Kobe Phillippi was among those scratching their heads, but he understands the maturity that went into Wroblewski’s decision.
“I think that speaks volumes to the type of person he is and the type of character that he has,” Phillippi said. “And the determination that he has, where he knows what he wants to be in 10 years. It’s hard for everyone to know what they want to be in 5-10 years. He knows what he wants to be and he knows that’s the path that he needs to go.
“Now he knows what he has left, and he’s got a (timer) that’s ticking.”
Wroblewski first took an interest in being a physical therapist in eighth grade. He dealt with knee issues, then broke his ankle around that time.
“I like helping people,” Wroblewski said. “I like the sciences in school, so I think it would be a good career.”
He played off-ball guard for the Planets last season and was the guy who they counted on to take shots in key situations. Now, instead of doing what comes naturally, Wroblewski is being asked to facilitate while playing with a new cast of characters, other than fellow senior Ben Detisch.
“I think it helps,” Wroblewski said. “I think, definitely, my role this year will probably be more distributing the ball, passing the ball, getting someone (else) the ball because, later in the season last year, I got face-guarded. So (it’ll be about) just getting people involved.”
Wroblewski’s main focus is winning. He’ll do whatever Phillippi directs him to do, whether that means pouring in 30 points or posting 10 points and 15 assists.
“Now, he’s gonna be more of a playmaker,” Phillippi said. “I’m curious to see how he gets his teammates more involved. It’s kinda gonna be his challenge. ... It’s November, but he’s kinda got the keys right now.”
Mars’ season tips off at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at North Allegheny.
