Cañada's Rodrigo Puliceno transfers to D-II powerhouse Western Oregon

Just as Cañada advanced to the state final four last year in Puliceno’s freshman season, so too did Western Oregon play in the NCAA Division II final four this season. Now, Puliceno has a chance to see his championship dreams — and those of the Monmouth, Oregon college — come to fruition.

“Now I have more experience because I went to the final four last year,” Puliceno said. “So I know what it takes to get there.”

Puliceno is one of three Cañada players transferring to four-year programs next season. The other two are both going the Division-I route. Guard Brian Garrett, a St. Francis graduate by way of San Carlos, is transferring to University of Hawaii. And forward Crisshawn Clark — who took a redshirt in 2015-16 at Cañada to preserve a third year of Division-I eligibility — is transferring to University of Pittsburgh.

Cañada head coach Mike Reynoso was convinced Puliceno had Division-I potential as well. As a 6-5 power forward though, it was a tough sell despite Puliceno’s ability to match up with the biggest bigs the California Community College ranks had to offer, some upwards of 7-feet tall.

“A lot of D-Is really liked him … but at the end of the day it was about size,” Reynoso said.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Puliceno moved to Burlingame when he was 15. He had an illustrious high school career with the Panthers, helping the team to the Central Coast Section Division III championship game for three straight years; all three years Burlingame lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Academically, however, Puliceno’s high school years were a constant struggle. With his freshman year being the first year he lived in the U.S., he ultimately had to repeat the ninth grade. So, when his classmates graduated in 2011, he faced returning to Burlingame for his academic senior year in 2012. Because he was no longer eligible to play basketball, he soon dropped out.

“All my friends left and I couldn’t play sports, so I just couldn’t do it,” Puliceno said.

Puliceno set out to earn his GED, but soon dropped out from that program. And while he attempted to play basketball at Cañada College in 2013, that quickly went by the wayside as well.

But when Reynoso took over the Colts’ basketball team prior to the 2013-14 season, he recruited Puliceno heavily. And while it took Reynoso a year to get the big man into the gym, it ultimately paid off, even though it took some coaxing with Puliceno contemplating moving back to Brazil.

“I said just play a year and then if you want to save up some money and then go to Brazil, then go,” Reynoso said. “Luckily I was able to trick him into taking some classes that were beneficial to him … and had him want to be in class. He was one of those guys once he saw how fun it was to be part of a team, and make it to the final four, I think that showed him that camaraderie after that.”

The addition of Puliceno was the best thing, quite possibly throughout program history, to happen to the Cañada post. While he was more a block-out post player as a freshman — averaging 5.7 rebounds a game while then sophomore Manny Martin gobbled up the boards to the tune of a team-high 9.5 per game — Puliceno realized his potential in 2015-16, average a double-double with 13.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

“He was always ready,” Reynoso said. “He was always a man among boys, even at JC, I think. He will be sorely missed. Rodrigo Pulicenos don’t come along every day.”

Puliceno, now 23, is learning to balance academics as well. He is set to graduate May 28 with an associate’s degree in communication. He said he expects to work his proverbial tail off at the next level, especially academically. But keeping that championship dream alive is worth the sacrifice.

“It’s always going to be a struggle,” Puliceno said. “But it’s nothing new.”