Although the entire NBA is now assembled in Las Vegas for the Summer League’s main event, former Illini guard Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors are coming off two games in the California Classic Summer League. During that time, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft put up statlines of 12/6/6 and 17/4/1, with the latter being complimented by five steals and a block.

Podziemski spent his freshman year with the Illini and after seeing limited minutes in just 16 appearances. Similar to fellow Summer League participant and former Illini Tevian Jones, Podziemski opted to transfer out of the power five conferences for an opportunity at more playing time. 

Choosing Santa Clara, Podziemski tore it up with the minutes increase, jumping from 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game at Illinois all the way to 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game at Santa Clara. His 2022-23 season generated a significant amount of first round draft buzz, which materialized as the Golden State Warriors’ use of the No. 19 overall pick.

Getting the start against the Los Angeles Lakers to kick off the Warriors’ session in Las Vegas, Podziemski quickly displayed his incredible rebounding abilities and picked up two quick offensive boards within the first 90 seconds. One play later, Podziemski drilled his first shot of the game, a 27-foot three point shot that contributed to a 13-2 opening run for the Warriors. 

Continuing to rack up the counting stats, Podziemski dished a pass to teammate Gui Santos to pick up his first assist less than a minute later. By the time the whistle blew to signal the end of the first, Podziemski racked up three more rebounds, a point at the line and a blocked dunk.

Despite the early lead, the Lakers battled back to take a consistent lead throughout the second, meanwhile Podziemski continued to stuff the stat sheet with a steal, two more rebounds and a point at the line. Heading into the break, Podziemski and the Warriors trailed 50-44. 

The third quarter saw an offensive increase for Podziemski, dropping his first two field goals since the early make from deep. A rarity for the rebounding aficionado, Podziemski entered the final quarter of play with just one more rebound than what he exited the first half with. The Laker lead only grew by four during the third frame, but overall the score now sat at 78-68 in their favor. 

Throughout the fourth, Podziemski deferred quite a bit on the offensive end, letting Santos continue his hot streak (ended the game with 25 points). With 6:02 remaining, Podziemski’s playmaking resulted in his second assist of the game after a shovel pass set up Lester Quinones from distance. Getting busy on the offensive glass late in the game, Podziemski earned his tenth and eleventh rebounds of the night off Warrior misses. By the final whistle, he sat just one point shy of a double-double, on top of two assists, a steal and a block. 

Podziemski and the Warriors will be back in action this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. CT.

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