NBA Draft Scouting Report: Brandin Podziemski

Brandin Podziemski burst onto the scene for Santa Clara this season and is now rocketing up draft boards. After spending one season at Illinois and struggling to receive playing time, the 6-foot-5-inch guard poured in 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with the Broncos.

He was one of just three players in D1 to average post a stat line of 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists. He led the WCC in rebounding as a guard. His 13 double-doubles were the most in the league as well. He had a monster game with 23 points and a career-high 18 rebounds against Pepperdine.

The Greenfield, Wisc., native demonstrated a strong shooting talent. He knocked down 48.3% from the floor and 43.8% from beyond the arc. His 3-point mark ranked fifth in the nation.

Measurements

Height: 6 feet, 5 inches

Weight: 205 pounds

Wingspan: 6 feet, 5.5 inches

Strengths

3-point shooting, rebounding

Podziemski has a unique shooting talent as he shot 43.8% from 3-point land this season. He exploded for 34 points in the second game of the season against Georgia Southern, where he converted on six of his eight attempts from deep. He also had games where he went 6-for-11 and 5-for-7. The sophomore’s sweet stroke could make him a star in the NBA.

The 6-feet-5-inch guard posted a WCC-best 8.8 rebounds per game. A ballhawk, he out-toughed bigger, taller competition and has a knack for reading the ball off the rim. He pulled down double digit boards 13 times this season, including in five of the final six games. Rebounding guards are an asset in the NBA.

Areas to improve

Size, slow first step

Podziemski will be undersized at the next level. At 6-feet, 5-inches and 205 pounds, he will be one of the smallest players on the court. There is a big difference between the size in the WCC and that in the NBA. He struggled to find playing time in the Big Ten at Illinois.

He also has a slow first step and will have difficulty blowing past defenders. Not the most athletic player, he will have to rely on other aspects of his game, such as his shooting stroke and his rebounding ability.

Projected draft range: Late first round

Podziemski is one fastest rising players in pre-draft buildup. He has risen through mock drafts and has earned an invite to the green room. He is aiming to be the second Bronco selected in the first round in as many years after Jalen Williams was taken 12^th by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022. Podziemski’s 3-point shooting and rebounding will serve him well in the NBA.