For German Plotnikov, home is wherever his journey with Hofstra University takes him.
Growing up as the only child in Minsk, Belarus, Plotnikov’s world revolved around his mother, Olga. The duo formed an unbreakable bond, which was put to the test when Plotnikov’s exceptional basketball skills caught the attention of scouts in the United States during his high school years in 2018.
“When you get an opportunity like that, I couldn’t pass it up,” the guard, now preparing for March Madness, shared with The Post.
The chance to pursue the American dream had always been a driving force for Plotnikov, ever since he started playing basketball as a young boy. However, this dream presented a daunting choice: leaving his mother and closest confidante behind.
“My mom was reluctant to let me go. She said, ‘You’re 17 years old. How am I going to let you go somewhere?'”
“Thankfully, she did,” Plotnikov added.
Plotnikov has become a secret weapon for the Pride since arriving in 2022.
His game drew 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 a No. 13 seed in Tampa, Fla.
“He’s been one of our unsung heroes throughout the whole year,” Claxton said.
“He’s that third scorer that we need,” Claxton added of the grad student, who is averaging 9.3 points and was “living in the gym” alone on campus all summer to reach that next level.
The Post has you covered with a printable NCAA bracket featuring the full 68-team March Madness 2026 field.
The road to Hempstead Turnpike — and hopefully Indianapolis — has been long and winding for the 6-foot-5 Plotnikov, who first played high school ball for Southwest Christian Academy in Arkansas and then Spring Creek Academy in Texas.
Plotnikov’s initial college tenure was purely a culture shock of “school, Walmart and cornfields” at Nebraska’s North Platte Community College. That’s where, despite getting straight A’s in English back in Belarus, he couldn’t understand a word of teammate slang.
“They’re like, ‘Yo, what’s good? What’s up?’ And I’m like, ‘What does that mean?’ I only learned, ‘hello’ and ‘hi,’ ” laughed Plotnikov, who caught up colloquially in less than half a year.
Justifying his mom’s fears — she couldn’t come stateside to visit until 2021 — Plotnikov’s culinary skills weren’t on par with his basketball ones.
“The biggest shock was that I didn’t get any home cooking. Even if I tried myself, I would never come anywhere close to her,” he admitted.
“So I was more living off doughnuts, chips, all that — Pop-Tarts.”
It was a far cry from Olga’s homemade potato pancakes and soups he’d come to love.
By the time Plotnikov transferred — he knew Hofstra was home away from home when assistant coach Tom Parrotta picked him up at the airport — his mom had since been able to see her boy much more often, which helped it all come together for him.
Olga has been staying with loved ones in Charlotte, N.C., and regularly travels to Hofstra’s away games in the South and to conference championships to see her son, of whom she’s so proud.
“She’ll always bring me something homemade,” he said. “Oh my God, that’s one of the best things I’m looking for.”
It’s no shock that Plotnikov put up a season-high 20 points on the road at the College of Charleston last February.
“Her presence kind of helped me,” he said.
Although Olga couldn’t be 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 moment — one that isn’t lost on the younger Plotnikov, who said the plan is for Olga to move closer to wherever he goes.
“When you’re a kid, you don’t understand it, but as you grow older, you see, ‘Oh God, my mom did all that. She raised me all by herself. It’s hard to do, man,’ ” he said.
“She’s a fighter, she’s a warrior, and now she’s harvesting all the good stuff for me. It’s awesome.”
