When it comes to basketball scoring accomplishments, very few players from Westmoreland County have enjoyed more success than Nick Novak. Novak was prolific during his time on the hardwood at Franklin Regional, leading the WPIAL in scoring in his senior year. His ability to score translated to the college and professional levels, too, resulting in a lengthy career in Europe. Although his pro career has wrapped up, Novak still plays regularly in Western Pennsylvania while also juggling a new career and a growing family. He’s in the spotlight in this installment of the Westmoreland Where Are They Now?

Novak wasted no time in establishing himself as a contributor at Franklin Regional, as he cracked the rotation during his freshman season in 2005-06. While the Panthers struggled, going just 4-20 overall and missing the playoffs, Novak made good on a statement he made to head coach Doug Kelly prior to the start of the school year.

“I remember being young and my dad taking me to games,” recalled Novak. “I was in eighth grade and I called coach Kelly in the summer and I was like ‘I’m coming in the gym and I’m playing varsity next year.

“I certainly have fond memories of playing with coach Kelly,” Novak continued.

The Panthers made significant strides the following season, as they improved to 13-11 overall, including 8-6 in section play. As a result, FR qualified for the WPIAL Class Quad-A playoffs, but fell to Seneca Valley in the preliminary round.

In 2007-08, Franklin Regional emerged as one of the top teams in the WPIAL. The Panthers went 20-8 on the season, including winning the section with a mark of 13-1. In the Quad-A postseason, FR ousted Peters Township before falling to Moon Area in the quarterfinals. However, Franklin Regional defeated Brashear in a play-in game to qualify for the state playoffs. In the PIAA bracket, the Panthers lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the opening round.

A victory on the road against the Norwin Knights, who finished a game behind the Panthers in the section that year, sticks out as one of Novak’s fondest memories during his time at FR.

His senior year was filled with memories, however, as Novak developed into one of the best players in the state. That year, he led the WPIAL in scoring average at 28.8 points per game, along with 5.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. As a result, he was selected as the WPIAL Player of the Year, Second-Team All-State, and made the Post-Gazette’s Fab 5.

“My goal was to kind of be the man in the WPIAL, and with all the stuff I accomplished that year, it was a good memory to start the next chapter of my basketball career,” Novak detailed.

Among his shining moments that season, Novak scored a school-record 45 points in a game against Woodland Hills. A pair of wins each against rivals Plum and Penn-Trafford also stood out in Novak’s memory.

Moreover, Novak cherished the opportunity to suit up alongside one of his best friends, Anthony Vendemia.

“Just having that entire year of me and him getting to play together one more time - he enjoyed being a part of that big season that I had when I was a senior,” Novak noted.

Collectively, the Panthers went 15-8 that season, including 8-4 in the section. However, FR was bounced by North Hills in the opening round of the Quad-A playoffs, bringing an end to Novak’s high school career.

Despite his eye-popping production, Novak was primarily targeted by Division II schools to continue his career. West Liberty University and the University of Pitt-Johnstown stood out as his two top options. Ultimately, though, the no-pressure approach of UPJ head coach Bob Rukavina, who also encouraged Novak to explore DI options, stood out.

“He was good throughout the whole process,” said Novak, who vividly recalled a promise from Rukavina. “’If it gets to the point where you just have to make a decision yourself, you just come here and I’ll give you the ball for four years.’

“I always had big aspirations of playing in college and taking it as far as I can go,” Novak added.

During his freshman campaign with the Mountain Cats, Novak played in 28 games, including 26 starts, producing 12.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while also dishing out 115 assists and racking up 28 steals. For his efforts, Novak was selected to the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) All-Freshman team. That year, the Mountain Cats went 17-12 overall, including 12-10 in the conference. In the WVIAC Tournament, UPJ edged Shepherd University, but fell to West Virginia State University in the quarterfinals.

In 2010-11, Novak started all 28 games, compiling averages of 18.0 points and 3.6 rebounds, while amassing 155 assists and 22 steals. Consequently, he was honored as Second-Team All-WVIAC. Pitt-Johnstown improved to 18-10 overall and 14-8 in the WVIAC. In the conference tournament, UPJ ousted Seton Hill University, but lost to Alderson-Broaddus College in the quarterfinals.

The following season, Novak emerged as one of the top players in the region. A Preseason All-American, Novak played in 28 contests, posting a team-high 19.5 points per game along with 3.3 rebounds per contest, and he registered 114 assists and 27 steals. He was tabbed as First-Team All-WVIAC. Collectively, the Mountain Cats achieved a record of 15-14, including 12-10 in conference play. In the WVIAC Tournament, UPJ defeated Seton Hill before falling to the University of Charleston in the quarterfinals.

In Novak’s senior campaign, he started all 28 games, averaging a team-best 21.9 points per game, as well as 3.2 rebounds, and he compiled 161 assists and 63 steals. As a result, Novak once again garnered First-Team All-WVIAC accolades. The Mountain Cats amassed a mark of 15-13 overall, including 10-12 in WVIAC action. Pitt-Johnstown defeated Concord University in the conference tournament, but lost to West Liberty University in the quarterfinals.

Novak finished his UPJ career with 2,023 points, which ranked second all-time, while his 545 assists topped the school’s career list.

“I went with this huge chip on my shoulder because I felt like I should’ve been at a Robert Morris, at least, or a Duquesne or even Pitt,” Novak revealed of his mindset in college. “When I went to Pitt Johnstown – looking back on it, it worked out how it was supposed to.

“It was exactly where I needed to be to accomplish my goal of playing overseas,” he added.

In pursuit of that goal, Novak, who graduated with a degree in business marketing in 2013, began training that summer for a pro career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

His first opportunity came in Germany, as he played for SSV Locomotive Bernau in Berlin. During that campaign, he averaged a team-best 15.8 points per game.

While he continued to play at a high level, Novak navigated a difficult adjustment to a new culture and lifestyle, as he was the only American on the team.

“It was a huge shock,” Novak revealed. “I went into it thinking it wasn’t going to be. I had a lot of advice from people who played overseas.”

The next year, Novak returned to the United States, as he played for the Steel City Yellow Jackets in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 2014-15.

He returned overseas for the next four seasons, though, including two stellar years with Ovarense GAVEX in Portugal. In his second campaign with the team, Novak posted averages of 20.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 32 contests, during which his team went 19-13.

“I kind of made a good name for myself there, and I was very useful as a starting point guard. I enjoyed Portugal a lot,” Novak stated.

While his scoring talent was very evident, Novak learned to adjust to the more tactical style of play in Europe.

“There’s much more focus on the defensive end. There’s not much freedom,” he revealed. “You’re supposed to be at a certain place at a certain time running a certain play.

“Your job is to perform what the game plan is,” Novak added.

As his time in Portugal wrapped up, Novak married his longtime girlfriend, Brianne, who is also a Franklin Regional graduate.

Throughout most of that summer, Novak awaited word on his next destination, signing with SCMU Craiova in Romania just days before the preseason commenced.

“Most of the time, you’re home for June, July, August, and then back to it,” he detailed. “As soon as you get that call, you have to be ready to uproot your life and go somewhere completely different.”

Novak spent the 2017-18 year split between Romania and Spain, and returned to Portugal with Vitoria SC the following campaign. Despite another impressive season, in which Novak averaged 16.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.2 boards, he began to contemplate his future.

Despite offers to play in Macedonia and Serbia for the 2019-20 season, Novak opted to end his professional career, staying in America with his wife, who was pregnant at the time.

“I looked at some of those gyms in Serbia and I said it looks like it’s cold there,” Novak joked. “We loved that experience, but I’m happy that I’m home and started a family.”

The following April, Novak’s first child, daughter Mila, was born. Last year, another daughter, Madeline, was born.

In search of a new career, Novak started in sales for his father’s welding supply company. In late 2020, he joined Cleveland Brothers, Pennsylvania’s largest CAT dealer for new, used, and rental construction equipment.

“Everything I did professionally with basketball, I took that same approach and took it to this larger corporate sales role,” Novak detailed.

He was recently promoted to account manager for Butler County.

Novak, who resides in Wexford, still laces up the sneakers regularly. This summer, he’s playing for team European Union in the Hoopstars Basketball League, along with several other former WPIAL standouts, including Greater Latrobe grads Austin Butler, Bryce Butler, Landon Butler, and Jake Biss.

“I’m probably better at basketball now than I ever was,” he noted.

Novak also briefly dabbled in coaching, serving as an assistant at North Allegheny. However, he has since shifted his focus to his full-time career and his growing family.

“I certainly appreciate the people who do it,” he said of high school coaching. “It’s a lot of time and energy for not usually a ton of money.”

One coach, in particular, who Novak appreciates is current Franklin Regional head coach Jesse Reed. Novak praised Reed’s efforts this past season, when the Panthers reached the WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A championships.

“I reached out to him whenever they were having success,” Novak said of Reed, noting that he attended the WPIAL title game at the Petersen Events Center.