Hofstra’s German Plotnikov inspired by mother after leaving Belarus to chase March Madness dream
For Germany’s Plotnikov, home is where Hofstra goes.
Growing up as an only child in Minsk, Belarus, Plotnikov had only one mother, Olga. The couple was inseparable when his basketball talents were recognized while in high school in 2018.
“When you get an opportunity like that, I couldn’t pass it up,” the March Madness-bound guard told The Post.
A chance at the American dream meant everything to Plotnikov since he was shooting hoops as a boy. Nevertheless, he was faced with an impossible family decision: leaving his mother and best friend.
“My mother was reluctant to let me go, she said, ‘You are 17 years old, how can I let you go somewhere?’ “
“Thank God you did.”
Plotnikov has become the Pride’s secret weapon since arriving in 2022.
His play earned high praise from head coach Speedy Claxton in the days leading up to Hofstra’s first NCAA Tournament game in 25 years, Friday against No. 4 Alabama as the No. 1 seed. 13 in Tampa, Fla.
“He was one of our unsung heroes all year,” Claxton said.
“He’s the third scorer we need,” Claxton added of the grad, who averaged 9.3 points and “has been in the gym” by himself on campus all summer to get to that next level.
The post included a printable NCAA bracket that includes the complete 68-team field for March Madness 2026.
The road to Hempstead Turnpike — and hopefully Indianapolis — has been long and winding for the 6-foot-5 Plotnikov, who first played high school football at Southwest Christian Academy in Arkansas and then Spring Creek Academy in Texas.
Plotnikov’s first time in college was a culture shock of “school, Walmart and cornfields” at Nebraska’s North Platte Community College. That’s when, despite getting straight A’s in English back in Belarus, he didn’t understand his colleague’s name.
“They said, ‘Yo, what’s good? What’s going on?’ And I say, ‘What does that mean?’ I only learned, ‘hello’ and ‘hello,’ ” laughs Plotnikov, who participated for less than half a year.
To justify his mother’s fears – he couldn’t come to the country to visit until 2021 – Plotnikov’s cooking skills were no match for his basketball skills.
“What shocked me the most is that I couldn’t find anything to cook at home, even if I tried it, I would never come close to him,” he admitted.
“So I was living mostly on donuts, chips, all that — Pop-Tarts.”
It was a far cry from the potato pancakes that Olga made and the soups that she loved.
By the time Plotnikov transferred — he knew Hofstra wasn’t home when assistant coach Tom Parrotta picked him up from the airport — his mother was able to see her boy more often, which helped it all come together for him.
Olga has been living with loved ones in Charlotte, NC, and often attends Hofstra South’s outdoor games and conference tournaments to see her son, of whom she is very proud.
“He will always bring me something home cooked,” she said. “Oh my God, that’s one of the best things I want.”
Not surprisingly, Plotnikov posted a season-high 20 points on the road at the College of Charleston last February.
“His presence helped me,” he said.
Although Olga wasn’t in Washington to watch as Plotnikov and the Pride were crowned Coastal Athletic Association champions this month, she FaceTimed her son on the court as he wore his victory hat.
It’s a good bet she’s headed to Tampa for her boy’s big time — which wasn’t lost on the younger Plotnikov, who said the plan is to get Olga closer to where she’s going.
“When you’re a child, you don’t understand, but as you grow up, you see, ‘Oh God, my mother did all that, she raised me alone, it’s hard, man,'” he said.
“You are a hero, you are a hero, and now you are doing all the good things for me.
