“He was out searching for players and saw Martin in some game. He called me right away [and said] ‘I found a 6-9 kid who can do it all.’ I said, ‘Get him here. What are you waiting on?’” Richert recalled with a laugh.

Richert said Breunig “always wanted to play major college basketball” in the U.S., so he eagerly signed on to play for SJMNA’s inaugural post-grad team last summer. In workouts on campus, Breunig impressed the coaching staff right away with his unique skill set and athleticism. It took some time, however, for him to emerge as a Division I recruit – although that had nothing to do with his ability.

“Right away, you get red flags because of amateur issues with international kids,” Richert said. “You’re not going to get offers from the big-time programs until you prove your amateurism. There’s so much that you’ve got to do before you [get cleared]. But it’s all taken place. He’s proven his amateurism – that’s not a question. He’s qualified academically. It took some time. Now that all that is done, now the big boys are starting to come.”

While Richert hopes to improve the Lancers’ schedule in the coming seasons, St. John’s has faced high-profile matchups this season with Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, South Kent (Conn.) School and Notre Dame Prep (Mass.), among others. As Breunig’s exposure grew, so did his list of scholarship offers. Terps assistant coach Keith Booth saw Breunig at the Virginia Military Postgrad Challenge last month, and shortly thereafter Maryland extended an offer. Richert said Breunig “put on a show” in front of Booth.

“He’s versatile [and] he’s so athletic, being a 6-8, 6-9 wing player who can do a lot of things,” Richert said. “He starts the fast break for us. He does so much for us. He can pick and pop, shoot the mid-range jumper, defend, set ball screens up top. He can do so much more at 6-9 than a lot of kids do at his size. That’s what separates him – the skill level at his size and his athletic ability is something I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Richert said Breunig is a mismatch at the 3, but he can “just as easily defend the post.” He has already added 15 pounds of muscle to his previously lanky frame, and Richert expects that he’ll add 15 more once he spends time in a college strength and conditioning program. Richert said he can “definitely see” Breunig making contributions as a true freshman in college. Whether Maryland is the beneficiary of those contributions remains to be seen.

“He’s very high on them,” Richert said. “Right now, he likes what he sees. But being new to America, everything is going to be new to him. He needs to take it all in, ask questions, and see where he fits. It’s not all about basketball. The academics are going to be a big component. As an international student, he’s going to need some help. He’s a very bright kid, but English-wise, that’s going to play a big part to it. But Maryland is very high on his list. I know that for a fact.”