2024 Bronson Schmidt-Uili receives Texas Tech offer 10 days after moving to United States

Last week, Bronson Schmidt-Uili moved across the world to the United States. The 6-foot-10 post, who is originally from New Zealand, will attend Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy. Less than ten days from moving to the powerhouse prep schools as a complete unknown, the class of 2024 big picked up his first offer, Texas Tech.

“I’m always active, always running,” Schmidt-Uili told On3. “I’m chasing rebounds and the blocks I can find. I can shoot too. I got into basketball relatively late, when I was 13, so I’ve only been playing for a couple of years. But I fell in love with the NBA right away. Paul George is someone I like to watch; he is tall and shifty and can do pretty much anything.”

*Read about the 2022-23 Oak Hill team from my trip to Mouth of Wilson.

Even though Schmidt-Uili spent his summer as an alternate for the u17 New Zealand men’s basketball team, his name had no buzz. With a dream of playing college basketball, a move to the United States was a must.

“I want to play college basketball,” Schmidt-Uili said. “Coming over to the United States, I feel like would put the best foot forward for me and was something I needed to do to get where I wanted to get. It’s a lot different here than in New Zealand basketball. I’m loving the intensity, and I’m pushing myself every day.”

Head coach talk

New Oak Hill head coach Yerrick Stoneman returns no players from last year’s team. Forced to rebuild an entire roster, the veteran coach knew Schmidt-Uili is a player he could feature.

“When I saw film of how hard he plays, I knew he would fit in great here,” Stoneman told On3. “He plays so hard; he is above the rim and 6-foot-10; those things stood out to get him here. In the ten days since he’s been here, we see how aggressive he is; he tries to dunk everything around the rim. And he can shoot the ball from three, and his ability to make reads without the basketball has stood out.”

When I asked Stoneman how good Schmidt-Uili could be, he was quick to reply, “I think by the time he graduates from here, he could play at any school in the country.”

Schmidt-Uili scouting report

Bronson Schmidt-Uili has a basketball frame. At 6-10 or 6-11, he has great length with broad shoulders, very projectable as he gets into a weight training program. Schmidt-UIli runs very well; he has lateral agility and vertical pop. He moves in a way many his size simply do not. Schmidt-Uili moves well off the ball, cutting with a purpose in an attacking manner. He has touch with range that extends beyond the three off the catch. The post will need to get caught up to the speed of the game and continue adding strength. The post will need to get caught up to the speed of the game and continue adding strength. Defensively, the native of New Zealand can move his feet. He is a good rebounder, he can get out of his area, and he has natural timing around the rim. Schmidt-Uili was an alternate for the u17 New Zealand men’s basketball team.