By Can Pelister & Marek Popiolek
Mikolaj Witlinski is a player with a lot of potential. Born in 1995, has already become a member of Anwil Wloclawek, a club competing at Ekstraklasa level (the highest division in Poland). He is a very mobile power forward who already possesses very decent ball-handling which seems to be one of his main strengths. Physically, he is around 208 cm tall and during the last year he has managed to make his body a bit stronger. For his heigth, he is a very mobile player who is impressive at running the floor up and down. He has become stronger over the course of a last year but definitely will have to keep making progress at this area. Not a very explosive player, but still, usually has got a speed advantage over the opposing power forward.
Offensively, he appears to be very good if we talk about technical aspect of the game. His ball-handling is impressive, can control the ball very well. His shooting is decent, is able make mid-range jumpshots efficiently, can be dangerous at the three-point line too. Not a bad free-throw shooter. Prefers playing with his face to the basket. Because of his ball-handling and quickness, he is dangerous at the dribble penetration. To become better offensively, has to keep improving his shooting. He has to put a lot of work in his post moves and finishing through the contact. Shows some talent for passing, seems like he has got an above-average court vision. Due to his ability to sprint quickly from one basket to another, he can be very useful in transition.
Defensively, his lateral quickness lets him play some solid one-on-one defense at the perimeter. Has got a good feeling for blocking the opponents’ shots. Needs to make progress at making rotations and helping his teammates. Adding some strength would help him improve his post defense. Playing against stronger and more experienced big men, he tends to lose a fight for the position and gets into the foul trouble too soon. His rebounding is decent, has got a habit of boxing out. Getting stronger should help him become more efficient at the boards.
Witlinski is a very mobile power forward who already possesses outstanding ball skills. Needs to keep getting stronger and become more all-around threat on offense (mostly by improving his post moves). Next year might be crucial for his development. If he keeps working on his game and earn more confidence on the floor, he might reach very high level in a couple of years. He definitely is a prospect to follow.
And here is our interview with Mikolaj, during Turgut Atakol tournament in Istanbul:
-How did you start basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was 9 yeras old when I was in small school.
-Do you have any basketball player in your family?
My father played basketball for fun in high school but it was not professional basketball.
-How was the season for you in Poland with Anwil?
That was the first year of mine with senior basketball. It was hard for me. Sometimes I played, sometimes I didn’t. It was good experience.
-What’s your plans for next year?
I don’t know. Right now, my team have got financial problems. And nobody in club don’t know what will be in the future.
-What’s your target for the future? What level do you think you can reach?
It is difficult question. For sure I got big goals. I want to play on the highest goal...
-NBA? We’ve heard that couple of NBA scouts was in Poland to see you last year.
It is my dream. I dream about this every day and I try, work for this. We will see.
-Who is your idol?
I got lots of idols. For example Danilo Galinari. Milan Gurovic was played my city and he was my idol.
-How was the Turgut Atakol U20 tournament for you?
It was big experience for me. We played against good teams, and that was good experience for me. It’s also good to prepare for U20 European Championship in Crete.
-What kind of things do you think you have to develop in your game?
I have to work for my body. I have to be more stronger and faster for sure. I have to work also for defense and every single part of basketball like dribble, shot, rebound, everything.
