Bronco Center Vanos Is One Guy USD Won’t Be Able to Overlook

When Santa Clara visits the University of San Diego Sports Center to play the Toreros at 7:30 tonight, most eyes probably will be on Nick Vanos.

At 7-feet 2-inches and 257 pounds, the Bronco center isn’t the sort who can be overlooked. He’s averaging 17.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, the latter a West Coast Athletic Conference-leading mark. On Thursday night, he scored 44 points in Santa Clara’s 91-70 win over Loyola Marymount.

“He’s a tough guy with a good reputation,” said USD’s Scott Thompson, the next center in Vanos’ path. “He’s big and can move inside, and he’s a soft shooter.”

Said Santa Clara Coach Carroll Williams: “Nick’s a good scorer and a good rebounder. He’s very intelligent, maybe our smartest player in the tactical sense. He’s been a fun kid to have around.”

Vanos, a senior, wasn’t an instant success. He averaged only 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds as a freshman and 9.9 and 6.7, respectively, as a sophomore.

It wasn’t until Vanos’ junior year that he started regularly. He responded with a 17-point, 9.9-rebound-per-game season, numbers he’ll probably surpass this year.

“I started slow,” Vanos said. “My freshman year was pretty rough. I worked hard and stuck with it, and it paid off.

“I know the game better and I’m smarter. You have to know how to use position to play well. You gotta think out there. You can’t use just raw talent.”

Williams agrees Vanos has progressed since coming to Santa Clara from Hillsdale High School in San Mateo.

“He’s really improved in his four years,” he said. “Nick’s been willing to work hard in the off-season and develop his game. He’s stronger and his stamina has improved.

“He has a terrific team attitude. You have to guard him. If (opposing defenders) sag and help, he’ll pass to other kids and they’ll score.”

The Broncos’ leading scorer is guard Harold Keeling. The 6-3 senior is second in the WCAC with a 19.1 average. Forward Scott Lamson is averaging 12.3 points.

Vanos, Keeling and Lamson are the main reasons Santa Clara is off to a 3-1 start in the WCAC and 14-6 overall. And Santa Clara’s nonconference schedule included UCLA, Louisville, Oregon State and Nebraska.

“Our record could be better,” Vanos said. “We had higher expectations. Fourteen and six isn’t too bad, considering we’ve played good teams. Although I thought we’d do better, I can’t complain.”

National Basketball Assn. scouts aren’t complaining about Vanos, either. Scouting reports say he’ll be a first- or second-round pick in June’s draft.

“I’d certainly like to try it,” Vanos said. “I plan on trying it. We’ll see what happens.”

For now, he will concern himself with USD. The Toreros are 1-3 in conference and 12-7 overall after Thursday night’s 75-65 loss to St. Mary’s.