Brandin Podziemski Bio
Brandin Thomas Podziemski is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The guard, nicknamed “Podz” or “Airpodz,” was selected by the Warriors with the nineteenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Podziemski previously played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Santa Clara Broncos. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2024 following an impressive debut season with Golden State.
Early Life and Background
Brandin Thomas Podziemski was born on February 25, 2003, in Greenfield, Wisconsin, USA. He attended St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, where he developed into one of the top high school prospects in the state. As a sophomore at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, Podziemski averaged 22.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-State honors despite not playing varsity basketball as a freshman at Muskego High School. He continued his dominant performance during his junior season, averaging 27.6 points and 9.2 rebounds while securing another first-team All-State selection.
Podziemski saved his best performance for his senior year, putting up remarkable averages of 35.1 points, ten rebounds, 5.6 assists, and four steals per game. His outstanding play earned him the title of Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in 2021, along with the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year award. The talented guard was rated as a four-star recruit and drew interest from several major college programs before deciding to continue his basketball career at the University of Illinois.
Path to Professional Basketball
Podziemski began his collegiate journey with the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2021. He appeared in 16 games during his freshman season, primarily coming off the bench, and averaged just 1.4 points per game. The limited playing time prompted Podziemski to enter the NCAA transfer portal at the end of the season, seeking an opportunity for more significant minutes and development.
He ultimately transferred to Santa Clara University to play for the Broncos. The move proved transformative for Podziemski’s career. He entered his sophomore season as Santa Clara’s starting shooting guard and immediately demonstrated his potential. In the season opener against Eastern Washington, he scored 30 points while adding 9 rebounds and 5 steals in an 84-72 victory. He followed that performance with a 34-point, 11-rebound game against Georgia Southern. Podziemski’s exceptional 2022-23 season placed him among the elite college players nationally, as he was one of only three NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball players to average 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists that year. He finished fifth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage at 43.8 percent, and his 636 points ranked fourth most in a single season in Santa Clara program history. For his efforts, he earned WCC co-Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year, and first-team All-WCC honors. After receiving positive feedback during the NBA Draft Combine, Podziemski decided to declare for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
Brandin Podziemski Career
Golden State Warriors Rookie Season (2023-Present)
The Golden State Warriors selected Brandin Podziemski with the nineteenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The Warriors had also held the nineteenth pick in 2009 when they drafted Stephen Curry, creating an interesting connection between the two players. On July 3, 2023, Podziemski signed his rookie contract with Golden State. He also saw time with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate, during his first professional season.
Podziemski’s rookie campaign quickly drew attention. On December 12, 2023, in a game against the Phoenix Suns, he became the first Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry in the 2009-10 season to record 20 or more points, 10 or more rebounds, and 5 or more assists in a single game. He finished that performance with 11 rebounds to go along with his scoring and playmaking. His versatility and energy off the bench provided the Warriors with valuable depth throughout the season.
2024-2025 Season and Rising Role
On May 21, 2024, Podziemski was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing his impressive first professional season. He was also selected to the USA Select Team alongside teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis to serve as practice competition for the United States Olympic team prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2024-2025 season brought both challenges and milestones for Podziemski. On December 28, 2024, during a 109-105 win over the Phoenix Suns, he suffered an abdominal injury in the second quarter and was forced to miss 12 consecutive games. He returned on January 23, 2025, recording 10 points and four rebounds in a victory against the Chicago Bulls. On February 5, 2025, Podziemski set a then career-high with 29 points, adding six rebounds and four assists in a 131-128 loss to the Utah Jazz. The following day, the NBA announced he would participate in the Rising Stars game as an injury replacement for Cason Wallace. On February 23, he recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in a 126-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On May 14, 2025, Podziemski scored a playoff career-high 28 points in a 121-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Following the playoff run, Podziemski underwent two surgeries during the offseason. He had a successful left wrist debridement surgery on May 28, 2025, followed by an additional surgery on June 12, 2025, to repair a core muscle injury.
2026 Season Performance
Podziemski returned from his offseason surgeries with renewed vigor. On April 10, 2026, he recorded a career-high 30 points in a 124-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings, showcasing his development as a scoring threat in the Warriors’ rotation.
Brandin Podziemski Career Highlights
Throughout his young career, Brandin Podziemski has accumulated notable achievements across multiple levels of competition. His collegiate success at Santa Clara laid the foundation for his professional career, and his rookie season with the Warriors demonstrated his ability to contribute at the highest level of basketball.
Professional Career Highlights
Podziemski’s NBA career is highlighted by his 2024 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, recognizing him among the league’s top first-year players. His historic December 2023 performance against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry to post a 20-10-5 game, established him as a versatile playmaker capable of filling the stat sheet. The 28-point playoff performance against Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025 further demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when the stakes are highest. His continued improvement was evident in the career-high 30-point game against Sacramento in April 2026.
College Career Highlights
At Santa Clara, Podziemski earned WCC co-Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year, and first-team All-WCC honors during his lone season with the Broncos. He was also named to the NABC First Team and USBWA All-District teams. His remarkable statistics ranked among the best in the nation, and his shooting efficiency placed him among the top players in college basketball. His high school career was crowned by Wisconsin Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2021.
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 2024 |
| WCC co-Player of the Year | 2023 |
| First-team All-WCC | 2023 |
| WCC Newcomer of the Year | 2023 |
| Wisconsin Mr. Basketball | 2021 |
Brandin Podziemski Family
Family Background
Brandin Podziemski is of Polish descent. He has expressed interest in obtaining Polish citizenship in order to potentially play for the Poland national basketball team. He has been recruited to the Polish national team by Jeremy Sochan, a fellow NBA player with Polish heritage.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-2025 NBA season represented a significant chapter in Brandin Podziemski’s development with the Golden State Warriors. After a strong rookie campaign that earned him All-Rookie First Team honors, Podziemski faced his first major professional obstacle when an abdominal injury sustained in late December 2024 forced him to miss over a month of action. The Warriors’ medical staff managed his recovery carefully, and his return in late January showed promise as he worked back into game shape.
The second half of the season showcased Podziemski’s resilience and offensive capabilities. His 29-point performance against the Utah Jazz demonstrated his scoring ability, while his selection to the Rising Stars game validated his standing among the league’s top young talents. The 28-point playoff performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved he could deliver in high-pressure situations during his second professional season. Looking ahead, Podziemski’s 2026 career-high 30-point game suggests he is continuing to develop as a consistent scoring threat for Golden State as he enters his third NBA season.