Hofstras German Plotnikov inspired by warrior mom after leaving Belarus to chase March Madness dream

For German Plotnikov, home is wherever Hofstra goes.When he was growing up as an only child in Minsk, Belarus, Plotnikov had only his single mom, Olga.The pair was inseparable when his undeniable basketball talents were recognized stateside while he was a high schooler 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 ever since he shot hoops as a little boy.

Still, he faced an impossible family decision: leaving behind his mother and best friend.“My mom was hesitant to let me go.She was like, ‘You’re 17 years old.

How am I going to let you go somewhere?’ ”“Thank God she did.”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 o...