I came across Olek Czyz, an international prospect from Poland while going through one of my old Slam Magazines from this past year.  With the NCAA basketball season coming up, I thought I would profile a couple international college players coming in.

Originally from Gdynia, Czyz is an incoming freshman at Duke this season (2008-09) and will reminds NCAA fans a little of Tyler Hansborough with a lot more athleticism. Olek, like Hansborough, has a questionable jupmshot, is physical in and around the paint, works hard, and puts down some ferocious dunks (see video below).

In fact, Czyz’s nasty dunks have some nicknaming him “Olek the Barbarian.”

The 6-8, 235lb Olek committed to Duke last fall after trimming down his options to Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Florida and Arizona State, telling the Louisville Courier Journal, “I am looking for a great coach, and I would like to play some minutes when I get there,”

Since his commitment to Duke, Czyz led his team to the 4A State Title in Reno, NV, was also named the MVP of the Capitol Classic, a gathering of national high school all-stars taking on. Czyz scored 23 points on 9-14 shooting from the field and pulled down 9 rebounds in a 123-85 win.  Check out the following write-up in SLAM Magazine:

Czyz the Season | SLAM Magazine | issue 118 (June 2008)
Even though he was raised overseas, it didn’t take long for Olek Czyz’s name to ring out once he started school in the States. Fresh from his native Poland, Czyz (pronounced Chizz) used a PE class during the first few days of his freshman year at Reno (NV) High as his platform.

“He wasn’t even in the PE class that most of the basketball players take,” recalls Reno coach Kyle Schellin. “But there he was, throwing down windmill dunks. It didn’t take long for the news to spread.”

Four years later, the legend of Olek continues to grow. The 6-8, 230-pounder — once considereed a mid-major prospect — blew up the AAU circuit last summer and transformed into an elite recruit. “I’m an explosive player with a high motor who runs the floor well,” says Czyz, who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior, leading Reno to the 4A State Title.

“I like to go strong to the rim and finish with a dunk — I don’t care who tries to block it.”

Coach Schellin cites the Polish sensation’s work ethic as one of his best traits. “He wanted to be a big-time player from day one, so he was in the gym every day,” Schellin says. “He’s still a little raw offensively but each time he plays, he gets better.”

Czyz will attend Duke next season (actually this coming season), choosing the Blue Devils over fellow top programs Florida and Louisville. “Duke is the best program in the country,” he says. “I can become the best player I can under Coach K.” – Nima Zarrabi

Source and links: Slam Magazine, issue 118 (June 2008), Czyz courts new life as U.S. All-Star (Washington Post), Poland Basketball Forum (IBN), Olek Czyz Video (YouTube), Olek Czyz: Polish Freshman at Duke (NCAA) (Interbasket), ESPN Olek Czyz Profile (ESPN)