Poland teammates still wonder why Mateusz Ponitka is not in the NBA

PRAGUE (Czech Republic) - Top 20 in points. Top 20 in rebounds. Top 5 in assists. All this accomplished without getting much love in this star-studded FIBA EuroBasket 2022, shoulder to shoulder with all the NBA stars. And guess what? He doesn't care, not one bit, about not being in the spotlight.

"I don't care about stats, I don't care who says something. I just wanna win," Poland star Mateusz Ponitka said, while wearing a couple of souvenirs from his battles across the first three days in Prague. A gigantic scar on his right lower eyelid. A couple of scars on his shoulder. He waves it off. Looking pristine is not his concern.

"I'm more worried about my finger. I have to check it. It's getting bigger," the 29-year-old said pointing to his hand, offering the other one for comparison, in case you thought it was a normal thing to have one XXL finger on you.

“ "I'm 29, but I'm the oldest when you count the games on this level." - Mateusz Ponitka

Poland climbed to 2-1 in Group D on Monday thanks to A.J. Slaughter's hot shooting in Czech Republic, but also thanks to Ponitka doing a bit of everything. Against Israel, he was up to 11 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, earning praise from the rest of the Polish delegation.

"I'm still wondering myself why he never played in the NBA," Aaron Cel smiled.

"I think that the EuroLeague teams are gonna regret their decision, or change it real quick," coach Igor Milicic added, then continued:

"This is big-time understanding of basketball by Mateusz. That's what he's providing, even [against Israel], hockey assists, 7 assists, 2 turnovers at the end of the game, almost perfect game from our leader.

"This team is growing, and each player is becoming better on his shoulders. That's why I'm happy about it," the coach added.

Ponitka became a veteran overnight. He went from high-energy youngster to seasoned veteran, and the transition was so smooth and natural that even the 35-year-old Cel nowadays looks to Mateusz when he feels the team needs a bit of calmness. Calmness and Ponitka, not two things you'd link to each other just a couple of years back.

"He's our leader, on and off the court. He's an amazing player, with age he found a way to be more calm in really important moments.

"We all know he's an energy guy, that he can beat every defense with his speed. He's not even 30 and he can play as a really good point guard," the power forward explained.

Ponitka will assume that role without any hesitation.

"Who else is supposed to do this?" comes the deadpan answer from Ponitka himself, although those 26 points and 9 assists against the hosts in front of 15,000 people back on Gameday 1 should have already answered our question.

"I'm 29, but I'm the oldest when you count the games on this level. I played 100-something games here, so I know how it works, I know how EuroBasket works, it's not a big deal for me to put a little ice on the younger guys' heads.

"We need to support them, they are going to have to step up at some point," the point forward with 13 professional seasons behind him offered.

He'll wear a 9th different jersey in his 14th pro season. Basketball fans in Emilia-Romagna, Italy are probably rubbing their hands in joy watching this EuroBasket, as Mateusz Ponitka signed a three-month contract with the Basketball Champions League club UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia.

On the surface, it has nothing to do with Poland. But scratch it a bit and you'll find that Mazurek Dabrowskiego's lyrics were written in Reggio Emilia. A Polish national team player, playing in the city where the Polish anthem came together.

"Yes, I know, I know," Ponitka acknowledged the trivia. "I really cannot wait to go there. I heard many great stories about Italy, my wife is also super-excited, we're looking forward to the new team... but also the food, the wine, everything. It's gonna be an amazing journey for us."

He still has work to do with Poland in FIBA EuroBasket 2022, though.

"We have a good team, good spirit inside, I believe we can do something. We just have to be humble, be calm."

FIBA