Podziemski was a left-handed pitcher growing up with opportunities to pursue baseball after high school.[9][10] He played varsity football his junior year at St. John's Northwestern Academies as a wide receiver and safety.
College career
Podziemski began his college basketball career with the Illinois Fighting Illini.[11] He played in 16 games as a freshman, all off the bench, and averaged 1.4 points per game. After the end of the season, Podziemski entered the NCAA transfer portal.[12]
Podziemski ultimately transferred to Santa Clara.[13] He entered his first season with the Broncos as the team's starting shooting guard.[14] Podziemski scored 30 points with 9 rebounds and 5 steals in Santa Clara's season opener against Eastern Washington as the Broncos won 84–72.[15] He scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the following game against Georgia Southern.[11] At the close of the 2022–23 regular season, he was named WCC co-Player of the Year, sharing the award with Drew Timme of Gonzaga, WCC Newcomer of the Year,</ref> NABC First Team, USBWA All-District, and All-WCC First Team.[16][17][18] Podziemski also earned WCC Player of the Week honors a SCU record four times, his 636 points was the fourth most in a season in program history, and his SCU three-point percentage was fourth-best in SCU program history.[19] Podziemski was one of only three NCAA Division 1 men's basketball players to average 19, 8, and 3 in the 2022–23 season and finished 5th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (43.8%).[20]
Podziemski declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his eligibility.[21] After taking part in the NBA Draft Combine and receiving positive feedback, he decided to remain in the draft.[22]
On December 12, 2023, against the Phoenix Suns, Podziemski became the first Golden State Warriors rookie to have 20+ points, 10+ rebounds (11), and 5 or more assists in a single game since two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry did so in the 2009–10 season.[25] On December 16, 2023, Podziemski put up 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a career-high four three-pointers made in a 124–120 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[26] On December 25, 2023, against the Denver Nuggets, Podziemski became the first rookie in NBA history to have 9+ rebounds, 6+ assists, 5+ steals, and 3+ three-pointers in a single game. (That evening, he had 13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals on 57/75/100 splits.)[27] On January 14, 2024, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he scored 23 points and recorded 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.[28] On February 16, 2024, Podziemski played in the Panini Rising Stars tournament in Indianapolis for Team Pau.
On May 21, 2024, Podziemski was announced on the NBA all-rookie first team. Before the Olympic Games, he was drafted to the USA Select Team, alongside his teammate, Trayce Jackson-Davis.[29]
During Podziemski's rookie season, he led the National Basketball Association in total charge fouls drawn, and charge fouls drawn per game.[30]
