Brandin Podziemski

Podziemski is an American guard whose rapid rise from high school state champion to NBA All-Rookie First Team reflects a blend of defensive tenacity, playmaking vision, and scoring efficiency. Drafted 19th overall by Golden State in 2023 after a single season at Santa Clara, he emerged as a key contributor for the Warriors before a trade sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks. His collegiate résumé includes leading the NCAA in steals and ranking second in assists, while his NBA career has been marked by immediate rotation impact and first-team rookie recognition.

Born on February 25, 2003, Podziemski attended St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, where he won four straight WIAA Division III state championships. As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game and was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball. He committed to Illinois for his freshman season but transferred to Santa Clara after limited minutes.

At Santa Clara, Podziemski became one of the most productive players in the country. He averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, led the NCAA in steals per game, ranked second in assists per game, was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year, and earned consensus second-team All-American honors. He declared for the 2023 NBA draft and was selected 19th overall by the Golden State Warriors.

Podziemski made an immediate impact with the Warriors. He appeared in 74 games as a rookie, started 28, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He averaged 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. He demonstrated a high basketball IQ, defensive activity, and a willingness to play within Golden State's motion offense. In 2025, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he continued his development as a rotation guard.

Podziemski is a two-way guard with elite defensive instincts, playmaking vision, and improving shooting. His NCAA steal totals reflected anticipatory defense and active hands, traits that translated to the NBA. He reads passing lanes, generates deflections, and applies full-court pressure. Offensively, he operates within a team structure, moves without the ball, and finishes with touch around the rim. His three-point shooting improved from college to the pros, and his pick-and-roll decision-making expanded in Golden State. He is most effective as a connector who links defense to offense through transition and secondary playmaking.

Podziemski enters the 2025–26 season with the Milwaukee Bucks after a rookie year that included All-Rookie First Team honors, 28 starts, and a trade from Golden State. His path from four Wisconsin state titles through Illinois, Santa Clara, and into the NBA lottery reflects a player who maximized every opportunity and proved that defensive intelligence and playmaking discipline can accelerate development at the highest level.