A gem in the rough: How Sebastian Rancik took big steps for the Buffs

Colorado's Sebastian Rancik showed promise as a freshman, displaying unique skills and athleticism. (Photo by Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

Trapped in the crevices of a rocky season, the Colorado Buffaloes may have unearthed gold in Sebastian Rancik.

The team has underperformed in 2024-25, finishing 3-17 in Big 12 play after a 9-2 non-conference start. It’s the worst season in head coach Tad Boyle’s 15-year tenure in Boulder.

Colorado’s struggles directly correlate to its experience. The Buffaloes ranked dead last in the Big 12 in returning minutes. To solve its issue, CU brought in a 2024 recruiting class filled with skill, including a four-star in Rancik.

Rancik hails from Bratislava, Slovakia, but was born in Athens, Greece. Sebastian was always around basketball when he was young. His father, Martin Rancik, played small forward at a fellow Big 12 school, Iowa State. Martin was named Slovak Player of the Year in both 2001 and 2002. 

After college, Martin continued his career in Europe, where he and his brother Radoslav Rancik (eight-time Slovak Player of the Year) played professionally. 

“My dad was a professional,” Rancik said. “Just growing up around that, my whole life, and just being around the court, it naturally drifted me towards basketball.”

Rancik started playing basketball at nine years old for Olympiacos Academy, the local EuroLeague team in Greece. Rancik then moved to Spain for seven years, where he continued to play for professional academies until moving to BK Inter Bratislava in Slovakia.

Rancik’s European tenure ended when he moved to Orange County, California to play for JSerra Catholic High School. By then, Rancik had started picking up traction from regional Division 1 programs like Colorado, USC, UCLA and Arizona State. 

Rancik’s time at JSerra wasn’t easy. He moved to the U.S. by himself, while his mother was back home with his sister.

Sebastian Rancik pulls up for a jumper against Baylor. (Paxton Haines/Sko Buffs Sports)

Rancik’s journey to playing basketball in the States was hectic, but it forced him to adapt to the game in ways that regular players may not have. 

“I was kind of forced to mature faster,” Rancik told BuffStampede. “All the hard times just made me a better player.”

During his junior season at JSerra, Rancik averaged 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Scouts noted Rancik’s ability to handle the ball and pass well for his size.

Rancik committed to the silver and gold in October 2023. At the time, he was listed as a four-star recruit, ranking No. 134 in his class nationally and No. 16 in California. 

Rancik saw limited playing time with CU until his sparkling potential was unleashed in late January. He earned his first start against Arizona State and went on to start in every game until senior night, including a standout 19-point, nine-rebound performance against No. 16 Kansas.

Rancik plays a unique role at CU. Unlike Colorado’s lengthy forwards, Rancik is a European shooter similar to Andrej Jakimovski. His primary role is playing defense and knocking down shots from range, almost mirroring what Jakimovski does. Unlike his teammate, however, Rancik has shown skills as a ball-handler.

"When he gets his feet set, his ball is going in. We want him shooting the ball when he gets his feet set in the perimeter,” Boyle said. “Eventually, he's going to get scouted, and people are going to start running at him and running him off the line. He's gonna have to put it on the floor and make plays that way." 

Sebastian Rancik throws down a dunk at a preseason practice. (Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado roster had one recognizable factor across the sheet: Height. The Buffs roster contains 18 players, 10 of whom are taller than 6-foot-6. Where Rancik differs is his size on the perimeter. 

Jakimovski has been used for the majority of the Buffs’ games this season. But as the senior nears the end of his college career, Rancik is readying to fill his role. 

“Growing up I watched a lot of Kevin Durant. But I just try to find tall wings and tall players who can play anywhere and do anything on the court,” Rancik said. “I like doing everything. I like the way the coaches use me. That's my vision of myself as a player, just a player that can play anywhere on the court.”

Team-wise, Rancik’s first year with CU basketball wasn’t one to remember. Still, it was filled with development, which the Buffs need to focus on this offseason.

“(The freshmen) don’t know what they don’t know, they don't know what they are getting into, the returning players didn’t know,” Boyle said. “Now they do. So it’s imperative that the returning players that we have, have great off-seasons.”

Colorado finishes its campaign in the College Basketball Crown tournament, taking on the Villanova Wildcats in the first round on April 1 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Next year, Rancik will be joined by the No. 40  recruiting class in the nation.

Although this season has been the basketball equivalent of a coal mine, the Buffs may have found their diamond in the rough.