NBA
BP
#2

Brandin Podziemski

Guard · Golden State Warriors · 6'4", 205 lb · Born Feb 25, 2003 · Greenfield, Wisconsin · Drafted 19th overall, 2023
All-Rookie First TeamGolden State WarriorsIron-man guardPodz
NBAGolden State WarriorsGuards
Compare:vs Horfordvs Meltonvs Greenvs Santosvs Butlervs Porzingis
In short

Brandin Podziemski is a durable, all-around combo guard for the Golden State Warriors and a 2024 All-Rookie First Team selection. Drafted 19th in 2023 out of Santa Clara (via Illinois), 'Podz' is a high-feel guard who rebounds, passes, and shoots — a rising young piece who started and played all 82 games in 2025-26 for an injury-hit Warriors team.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceSat, Nov 14
vsHouston RocketsDrop coverage
Proj. points
13.7
range 11–16.4
Line 14
45%
to go over
Team win
59%
113–111
Poi 13.7 Lean underReb 5.1 Lean overAss 3.7 Lean overPRA 22.4 Lean under
Likely on himAmen Thompson· 86 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts89%15+ pts33%

Model lines Podziemski at 13.7 pts (range 11–16.4) vs a 14 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (45%).

Biggest edge: scheme fit — drop coverage concedes the pull-up/mid-range he likes.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
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The Podziemski Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
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A benchwarmer-turned-first-rounder — a high-feel, do-everything guard and the Warriors' young building block.

Wisconsin Mr. Basketball, Podziemski transferred from Illinois to Santa Clara and averaged 19/8/3 before Golden State drafted him 19th in 2023.

🏫 Santa Clara19th, 2023

He made All-Rookie First Team in 2024, rebounding and passing above his size.

All-Rookie 1stDo-everything

He grew into a durable starter, playing all 82 games in 2025-26 amid the Warriors' injuries.

82 games13.8 / 5.1 / 3.7

Of Polish descent, he's explored representing Poland internationally.

🇵🇱 Poland interestBuilding block
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
13.8
2025-26
RPG
5.1
per game
APG
3.7
per game
FG%
.455
.371 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A high-feel, do-everything combo guard — the durable young building block of the Warriors.

Brandin Thomas Podziemski was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin and was Wisconsin Mr. Basketball before a winding college path — a quiet freshman year at Illinois, then a breakout at Santa Clara, where he was one of only three Division I players to average 19/8/3. Golden State drafted him 19th in 2023.

He made All-Rookie First Team in 2024 as a high-IQ guard who rebounds and passes above his size, and grew into a durable starter — playing all 82 games in 2025-26 amid the Warriors' injuries. Of Polish descent, he has expressed interest in representing Poland internationally.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Podziemski's path was self-made: from a military-academy high school in Wisconsin to a transfer that turned a benchwarmer into a first-round pick, he built a reputation as a relentless competitor with rare feel. Of Polish descent, he's explored obtaining Polish citizenship to play for the national team, recruited by fellow players with roots there.

His identity is versatility and toughness — a 6-foot-4 guard who rebounds like a wing, passes like a point, and shoots from the perimeter, all with a durability that saw him play all 82 games. On a Warriors team navigating an aging core and injuries, his youth, IQ, and availability make him a genuine building block for the future.

PERSONALITY

The person

A high-IQ, durable combo guard — rebounding, passing, and shooting with rare feel for his size.

All-aroundRebounds and passes above his size; a triple-double threat.
DurablePlayed all 82 games in 2025-26 for an injury-hit team.
High feelA cerebral, competitive guard who fits any lineup.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Combo Guard · Iron-Man
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring63
Playmaking60
Rebounding46
Perimeter D64
Rim protection24
Spacing66
Athleticism70
Clutch64
a durable, all-around combo guard
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Versatility and youth

Podziemski's value is all-around feel — a combo guard who rebounds, passes, and shoots, fitting seamlessly into Golden State's motion system. His durability (all 82 games) and IQ make him a rare young asset on a veteran roster, and his growth is central to the Warriors' bridge to a post-Curry future.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-268228.513.85.13.7.455.371

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2024NBA All-Rookie First Team; a rare rookie 20-10-5 game
CollegeOne of only three Division I players to average 19/8/3 (at Santa Clara)
2025-26Played all 82 games as a durable starter

Hardware

1×
All-Rookie First Team (2024)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A durable, high-feel young guard — the Warriors' building block for the future.

Still on his rookie deal, Podziemski is a versatile, all-around combo guard whose rebounding, passing, and shooting fit Golden State's system. His youth, IQ, and availability make him the key to the Warriors' next era.

All-around feelHigh
DurabilityExcellent
ShootingSolid
Shot creationDeveloping

Contract

Status
Rookie deal value
Role
Starting guard building block
Age
23 rising
Bottom line

A high-feel, durable young guard who does everything. The Warriors' clearest building block — and the bridge from the dynasty to what comes next.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Brandin Podziemski known for?

All-around play — a combo guard who rebounds and passes above his size, made All-Rookie First Team, and played all 82 games in 2025-26.

Where did Brandin Podziemski go to college?

He started at Illinois before transferring to Santa Clara, where he broke out and was drafted 19th in 2023.

Does Brandin Podziemski have international ties?

He's of Polish descent and has expressed interest in representing Poland's national team.