By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — When it comes to Brody Buchanan, he might be the Rizzo of gym rats.

Rizzo is the famous leader of the Muppet rats. Buchanan might very well be the leader of basketball gym rats.

Virtually growing up in the gym, the experience has helped to boost Buchanan’s playing skills and have earned the Fairland Dragons’ senior point guard a scholarship with the University of Rio Grande RedStorm.

“You see me with the ball, that’s all I do. That’s every day for me,” said Buchanan with a laugh.

The love affair with basketball began early because Brody’s father Jon is the Fairland girls’ head coach and his father and his profession had a direct bearing on his development.

“(His father is) in every conversation about what I’m doing basketball-wise and life, but I think that’s why I like basketball as much as I do because I’ve been in the gym with him since I was born. If he had practice, I was there,” said Buchanan. “He’s a big part of that.”

Buchanan started playing basketball at the tender age of 3 and as far as playing point guard he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t playing that position.

“Point guard, I think that’s what I’ve always done ever since I started playing that’s what I was,” said Buchanan,

“That’s the role you get to be the leader that gets to control the game. Just being in control of everything is the funnest part.”

Fairland head coach Nathan Speed agreed that Buchanan’s growing up in the gym has been crucial to his development.

“He’s been a great player. He loves to play basketball. He loves the game. That’s what has made him so great,” said Speed. “He just studies the game. He picks up things quickly. His work ethic is incredible. He never stops working. He’s always in the gym. He’s just a fantastic teammate.”

Buchanan looked at several schools including Oakland City University in Indiana where former Rio Grande head coach Ken French is now coaching. But in the end, Buchanan said he went where he was wanted.

“I’ve known coach French a long time. He meant a lot to me. He recruited me,” said Buchanan. “I looked there, but ultimately it just came back to Rio.”

“I always felt very wanted at Rio. As a player, you always want to feel you’re believed in. I felt like that at Rio. And they really recruited me hard and I just felt wanted there.”

The 5-foot-10 senior point guard has been a 3-year starter heading into his senior year and shown improvement each season.

Last season, Buchanan averaged 17.1 points a game, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, shot 73 percent from the foul line and 39.7 percent from 3-point range.

He was first team All-Ohio Valley Conference, second team All-Southeastern District and honorable mention All-Ohio in Division 3.

Having developed into a good shooter, Buchanan has had some big scoring games. However, he hedged on the green light to shoot at any time.

“You could say so, but I never want to abuse it. You can ask anybody, I like passing more than anything, but I can shoot when I want. I always tell my teammates I like to play fast and I just tell them to run the floor because I promise I’ll give it to you.”

Buchanan has been a starter since his freshman season and he is aware of his improvement.

“Many people have told me, but I’ve developed greatly from my freshman year to now. From my size to how I play, the maturity of how I played from my freshman year to now, I think I’ve improved greatly and not just in basketball, but in confidence and everything that goes into it,” said Buchanan.

“I just wanted to be good at everything. When you’re a small guard, you have to be good at everything.”

Speed said Buchanan’s progression as a player has been steady and he’s improved each season.

“He used to be just one speed. Now he can change speeds adjusting to the game. He scores better on all three levels. It used to be just attack the rim. Get to the rim. Now he’s worked on his mid-range, worked on his 3-point shot. Defensively he’s gotten so much better as he’s gotten stronger, too. And he’s a smart defender which helps.”

Buchanan knows that his improvement will have to continue, especially when he reaches the next level.

“First, of all, it’s a great opportunity. I love basketball more than anything in my life and it’s something I don’t take for granted. I’ve played with them a little bit and those guys are good. I’m going to have to go up there and compete but that’s what I’m all about,” said Buchanan.

Going to Rio Grande will allow Buchanan to reunite with his former teammate Aiden Porter.

“I got to play with him down here and now I get to go back up there, so that’ll be fun,” said Buchanan.

An outstanding distance runner who excelled in cross country in the past, Buchanan said that he had to make a decision on which sport was best for his future.

“Money-wise in college for a runner it’s low,” said Buchanan. “One thing I struggled with running is I couldn’t gain weight for basketball because I was running so much. Basketball was what I wanted to do, so I had to make running take a back seat.”

Buchanan said he is leaning toward a major in Sonography and Ultrasound.

“I think that’s what I want to do,” said Buchanan,