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The Best Wins, Players, and Moments of Gonzaga’s 2016-2017 Season

By Connor Hope

March 7, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the Saint Mary's Gaels in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 7, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the Saint Mary's Gaels in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) signals to his team in preparation for the next play against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) signals to his team in preparation for the next play against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Senior: Przemek Karnowski

For casual fans watching Gonzaga play for the first time, one player that stood out immediately was senior Przemek Karnowski. The Polish center was a mountain in the middle, standing at 7’1” and 300-pounds.

Karnowski required teams to game plan specifically for his ability to clog the paint. This caused many teams to run multiple pick-and-rolls against him in an attempt to take advantage of his lack of lateral quickness.

Karnowski averaged a career-high 12.2 points and 1.9 assists per game last season. He also averaged 5.8 rebounds and .586 shooting from the field. His contribution to the Zags’ interior defense allowed shot blockers Zach Collins and Johnathan Williams to deny off balance shots.

While his showing in the National Championship Game was a disappointment, Karnowski’s leadership was a key piece in the Zags’ Final Four run.

Karnowski had two huge individual milestones this year: setting the record for most career wins at 137 wins and winning the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award for being the nation’s best center.

Przemek Karnowski may not have been the most dominant player in Gonzaga’s history, but he is among the schools most beloved.