Mateusz Ponitka has had quite the journey lately, from his move to Bahcesehir College Istanbul to the evolving world of Polish basketball. Returning to the EuroCup after over five years, Ponitka admits his first game back wasn’t ideal. Despite a rough start, with missed shots and fouls, he managed to contribute when it mattered, helping secure a win against Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius.
Reflecting on his performance, Ponitka told BasketNews:
“The first game didn’t go the way I was hoping. I started very rough, with some simple mistakes. But in the end, I hope I could help the team, and I believe every game will be better for me. The game here is a little different from the EuroLeague.”
New Team, New City, Same Pressure
Now settling into Istanbul, Ponitka finds himself at a unique intersection of Europe and Asia. Despite playing for a team not known for its massive fanbase, the forward says the pressure is still very real. “One time, Xavi Pascual told me the biggest pressure we create is by ourselves, no matter what’s around. If you’re not able to play even for one fan, then why do it?” Ponitka explained, emphasizing the mental side of professional basketball.
A Break from the National Team and New Hopes for Poland
This summer, Ponitka had some unexpected downtime after Poland’s national team failed to qualify for the Olympics. Their loss to an underdog Finland squad missing Lauri Markkanen marked a premature end to their campaign. This left Ponitka with extra time to focus on personal development and rest—rare opportunities in a busy athlete’s calendar.
