2016 NBA Draft Watch List: Przemek Karnowski

Przemek Karnowski, Senior, Gonzaga, Center, 7’1, 288

(2014-15, 24.5 mpg) 10.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 bpg,

62.2 FG%, 50.9 FT%, 61.0 TS%, 62.3 eFG%

23.4 USG%, 10.0 OREB%, 16.9 DREB%, 13.9 TRB%, 10.5 AST%, 4.3 BLK%

DOB: 11/8/1993 (21)

2015 First Team All-WCC

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Over 7-feet tall and near 290 pounds, Karnowski is a massive presence on the court, and his game continued to develop well as a junior. He is fundamentally sound on both ends of the floor and he has a very good feel for the game and floor spacing. When he gets good position on the low block, it is very tough for a defender to get around him, and his ability to seal defenders off opens up big lanes to the basket for his teammates. Karnowski has also shown impressive footwork and hands for his size, and he has learned to be more physical when a defender tries to push him off the block. He has good touch around the basket and when he gets in deep, there isn’t much to do to stop him from getting an easy basket other than foul him. He has good court vision, and continues to improve as a passer, both from the perimeter and the low post. Karnowski is a solid screener on the perimeter, and while he can be a bit slow, he has shown a nice ability to roll to the basket or slipping his screen, setting a huge target for the passer. Karnowski has shown he can knock down short- to mid-range jumpers when open. On defense, Karnowski seems to have good awareness and he understands how to defend the post. He does a good job looking to box out when a shot goes up. Karnowski is very good about making sure he gets arms up whenever there is a shot around the rim, doing a good job staying vertical.

What he needs to show this season: Karnowski has the potential to be a strong post player, but he needs to continue to develop all facets of the post-game. It starts with him continuing to be tougher when looking to establish position and being assertive calling for the ball. Karnowski’s moves can be slow to develop, and he has to be careful not to put the ball on the floor too often when making a move, as well as being able to make moves on both sides of the floor, over both shoulders. A lefty, Karnowski has improved his ability to score around the rim with his right hand, though there is still room for him to be more comfortable with it, especially on his short hook. Karnowski also needs to become a much better free throw shooter. His form is pretty good, so the adjustments shouldn’t be too major. On defense, Karnowski understands what he should be doing, but he doesn’t have the footwork or foot speed to do it. More important, Karnowski needs to be more aggressive going after rebounds. He does a good job establishing position and putting a body on someone, but he needs to go after the ball strong and not just wait for it to fall. Once he gets the rebound, he has to watch a tendency to drop it down low where an opponent can take a swipe at it. Karnowski has a tough time defending in pick-and-roll situations, either not being able to recover well if he does hedge, or not hedging and giving the ballhandler room to get a shot off or make a move off the dribble.

Where he fits at the next level: In a different era, Karnowski’s combination of size and skill would have him on the fast track to the NBA. With the center position becoming increasingly more athletic, Karnowski’s lack of athleticism may be held against him. Still, he is an effective scorer around the basket, and with continued emphasis on improving his conditioning and defense, a player like Karnowski will have ample opportunities to play at the NBA level. While the fast pace that Gonzaga often plays leaves him left out of the offense, he has shown that he can move up and down the court well for extended periods, and he has found ways to help facilitate the offense on the secondary break.

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