There wasn’t really a choice.
Xaverian senior basketball standout Zack Bruno always knew he was going to spend his final season with the Clippers. He didn’t even consider the possibility of transferring, despite a handful of questions and concerns about the young squad. He came to Xaverian for a very simple reason — he loved it — and one challenge wasn’t going to change that.
Bruno stayed and, while the team failed to notch a second-straight city title, the Clippers’ combo guard doesn’t regret his decision.
“I’m a loyal person,” Bruno said. “I decided to come to Xaverian for a reason and I didn’t plan on leaving, no matter the circumstances. I’m a Xaverian guy, love Xaverian and I wanted to stick with my program.”
Bruno couldn’t spark a postseason run on his own, but he made sure his presence was known every single time he stepped onto the court.
He led the team with 21 points per game and finished fourth in the Catholic High School Athletic Association in scoring. Of course, there was never much of a question as to what Bruno’s on-court strengths were, either. He’s always been a scorer.
“I love it,” Bruno said. “That’s what I live for. I live for scoring. When I was 8 years old and I started playing basketball, my brother told me I was a scorer and from there on out, I just focused on that for the rest of my career.”
Bruno notched 13 different 20-point performances during the season, and while he was focused on being a leader for Xaverian this winter, he’s quick to admit his first thought was always to put the ball in the basket.
“It’s just to attack,” Bruno said. “I’m a killer. I’m going to go for as many points as I possibly can every time I step on the court. That’s really it.”
Bruno’s high-school career came up short — an early playoff exit that stung just a bit more than he expected — but he showcased his skills one final time on April 2, competing in the Mayor’s Cup at Baruch College.
He packed his stat line once more and he’s hoping performances like that will help take his game to the next level.
Bruno was always certain of his future at Xaverian, but the final stretch of his senior year is still a bit up in the air. There’s only one thing he’s positive of — he wants to keep playing basketball.
“I’m just testing the waters,” Bruno said. “I might go to a prep school. I’m going to play some AAU so I can get some more options, but right now I’m just working on my game. I want to be the best player I can be.”
The questions and the uncertainty of the future would be enough to terrify even the most confident high-school senior, but Bruno isn’t worried. After all, he stayed at Xaverian for a reason and he knows his years with the Clippers have set him up for just one thing — success.
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Bruno said. “I know how good I am and I know where I should be. I’m not there yet, but I made a promise to my family and myself that I’m going to get to where I want to be. That’s what’s next.”
