By Marek Popiolek

 

-Mateusz Ponitka (’93, 196 cm)

Mateusz Ponitka -at the pic- had an impressive run with the Polish National Team during the last Eurobasket Qualifications. He proved that during his 2013/2014 tenure at BC Ostende he has made a big step forward and has become capable of taking a more responsible role at the international stage.

He has established himself as a very good all-around player who is able to contribute in many areas of the game. Standing at 196 cm, can defend all three perimeter positions, was often used to press opponent’s point guards. Athletically he is prepared really well to play long minutes at the high intensity. He has got a good feeling for stealing the ball. Thanks to his strength and explosiveness can help a lot with the rebounding.

Offensively, looks to score in transition, can run the floor really hard. Over the course of the last year he has improved his 3-point shooting. He likes to take responsibility for his team and is capable of playing to his best when it matters most. During the upcoming season he will continue his career at BC Ostende, representing his club at the Eurocup and Belgian competitions.

-Przemyslaw Karnowski (’93, 215 cm)

Przemyslaw Karnowski has struggled with his health a bit during the summer of 2014 but in overall he had a decent Eurobasket Qualifications. Played 3 out of 6 games and in all of these contests he was an important piece of the Polish National Team.

Standing at 215 cm, he possesses decent post skills and shooting ability for such a big man. His strength and post moves make him difficult to guard at the low post. He has got a huge upside but it seems that it will be necessary to keep improving his body and raise intensity of his game. Thanks to his length and a decent feeling for blocking the shots he can already protect the rim at times but improving his athletisicm would make him an elite shot blocker.

In the 2014/2015 season he will continue his career as a junior at the Gonzaga University.

-Tomasz Gielo (’93, 201 cm)

Tomasz Gielo managed to make the roster for the Eurobasket Qualifications and this definitely has been a very valuable experience for him. He has played short periods of time but was able bring a lot of energy on the court and contributed mainly thanks to his production at the boards.

Because of his length and athletisicm he is a very solid on-ball defender and can guard all three perimeter positions. He is an explosive forward and it makes him a valuable contributor at rebounding and offensive transition (he can run the floor fast and is a decent fast-break finisher).

To become a better basketball player, it seems that he mostly needs to improve his offensive skills (mainly post moves and outside shooting). It would make him much more versatile player.

In the upcoming season he will continue his career at the Liberty Univeristy where he will enter his senior year.

-Michal Michalak (’93, 196 cm)

Just like Gielo, Michal Michalak earned a spot on the final roster for the Eurobasket Qualifications and it was his first serious experience at such a big international stage. He played in just 2 of the 6 games but being a part of this team has surely made him grow as a player.

He has always been a very good shooter who has been able to score in many different ways. He possesses a very solid mid-range game and is a decent driver too. During the last two years he has worked a lot on building some strength and he has definitely made some progress in that case. He is becoming better and better at pick and rolls and at distributing the ball after his dribble penetrations. Defensively, has got a good feeling for stealing the ball but needs to improve one-on-one defense. It is very probable that if he keeps improving his defense and shot selection, he has got a real chance to become a very solid contributor at the international level in the future.

During the 2014/2015 season he will continue his career in one of the top Polish clubs Trefl Sopot and it seems that he will take much larger role there.

 

-Twitter of the author: @mapop9

 

-Photo: FIBA Europe / ÖBV