NBA Draft Scouting Report: Santa Clara's Brandin Podziemski
Brandin Podziemski
Guard | Santa Clara
Height: 6'5” | Weight: 205 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 20.33
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
An Illinois transfer, Podziemski played less than 70 minutes all year as a freshman. This season at Santa Clara, he exploded in an expanded role.
After transferring, he became the top scoring option for the Broncos, filling in the shoes of recent lottery pick Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. A pure scorer, he can produce 30 points on any given night.
His spectacular play has catapulted Podziemski into the draft conversation, with upside of potentially a first-round selection.
The growth this season has been remarkable. He scored more points (30) in his Santa Clara debut than he did all of last season (22) at Illinois. Podziemski ended up scoring a total of 64 points in his first two games as a Bronco.
He's one of the best 3-point shooters in the country, but also has the size to generate his own shots in the mid-range and at the rim. From all three levels, he was a fantastic scorer all season as he showed off the smooth lefty stroke.
On the defensive end, he’s been disruptive as well, being one of the top producers of steals in the West Coast Conference. Podziemski has the size to defend multiple positions and has an energy that is contagious.
One of the most underrated aspects of Podziemski’s game is the positional rebounding. As a guard, he’s pulled down more rebounds than most centers around he country do, which will be an attractive skill at the next level.
He is an underrated facilitator, as Podziemski has led Santa Clara in assists all season. At the next level, he’ll have the ability to be a solid combo guard. He's able to fill up the stat sheet in a variety of ways. Podziemski is more than just a scorer, as his impact is felt in many aspects of the game.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about the sophomore guard is his ability to get to the line. In the modern NBA, the best scorers have a knack for getting fouled and generating free throws. That means something to NBA teams.
Sometimes a new situation is exactly what prospects need, and that's proven to be the case for Podziemski as he's skyrocketed up draft boards since transferring to Santa Clara.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Late First or Early Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
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