“Three-pointer, Brian Bernardi!” has echoed the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex for three consecutive seasons, becoming a mainstay for the Hofstra men’s basketball team over that span.
Brian Bernardi, a 6-foot-2-inch senior from Staten Island, knocked down his 200th three-pointer in a Hofstra uniform on Nov. 29 against Columbia, just the third player to do so in the history of the program.
Bernardi cashed in for two more trifectas that night, putting his total to 202 – which gave him sole possession of second place all-time for the Pride.
“It’s just something I worked really hard at. Every day, I’m in the gym shooting for hours,” Bernardi said.
Exclusively going to daily practices is not enough to attain a feat of this prestige.
For Bernardi, shooting a basketball is parallel to having a full-time job.
“I’ll come in the morning to shoot. I try to make 500 shots by the end of the night, but if my shot is off, I’ll shoot even more,” he said.
Even on the day of a game, Bernardi finds himself in the gym as early as 7 a.m. working on his shot before going to class.
Later on, still before game time, he will return to the court in attempt to replicate the same smooth shooting touch he felt comfortable with prior to leaving.
A senior with a work ethic that’s “second to none,” according to head coach Joe Mihalich, this creates the perfect formula for Bernardi to be the leader of the Hofstra Pride.
“Brian Bernardi works so hard, you don’t have to ask him to do anything differently. He leads by example,” Mihalich said.
A situation that epitomizes who Bernardi is was a momentum-swinging play against Bradley University in the Gulf Coast Showcase. It was not just his 15-point performance capped by three three-pointers, but an all-out effort diving for a loose ball with a few minutes remaining in the second half, giving Hofstra possession – which led the Pride to a tight 92-90 victory.
For Bernardi, this has appeared to not be enough for him, nor for Hofstra. As a veteran, he’s aspired to break the ceiling as just the leader by example.
“Since Juan’ya [Green] and Ameen [Tanksley] are gone, I’m trying to step in that role as a vocal leader,” Bernardi said. “I need to step up and be that guy.”
He has learned that with a task of this magnitude, it is not easy to jump in and immediately be successful.
“The first few games were a humbling experience. I didn’t realize how much effort I needed to put into this,” Bernardi said. “I’m just trying to help everyone stay focused.”
With consistency, staying focused becomes less and less tough, which Bernardi tries to exude every day with the hopes it carries over to the mentalities of his teammates. It all starts with keeping things without complication.
“I try to stay balanced and hold my follow through,” Bernardi said. “It’s really a simple thing.”
Another thing he does not want to overthink is the future of his basketball career. Bernardi aims to play overseas after graduation.
“This is my life. This is what I work hard at. This is what I want to keep doing,” Bernardi said.
But he still makes the present a priority for him – which is to not veer from his and Hofstra’s goal for another postseason run in the CAA tournament.
Bernardi said, “It’s a long season and we have to continue working hard every day.”
