Big man Olek Balcerowski, the 2022-23 EuroCup Rising Star, has played a key role in Gran Canaria advancing to the 2023 7DAYS EuroCup Final with the best record in the competition, 18-3. He is only the second player to win the trophy twice, joining Bojan Dubljevic with that distinction. Balcerowski averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game for an average PIR of 10.8 in 21 appearances this season. He first joined Gran Canaria's youth system along with teammate Khalifa Diop in 2015 and has taken giant steps to become one of the best centers in European basketball. Balcerowski is grateful to Gran Canaria for the opportunity and hopes to give back to the club by capturing the EuroCup crown.
Congratulations on winning the Rising Star award. How great is that for you and the team?
"I'm really happy that the club gave me this opportunity this year so I could play more minutes and be a bigger part of the team than in the last years. Nothing else, I'm just really happy. I want to thank the team, the coaches because without them I couldn't win it... I think this is only the beginning and I need to start to work harder to play even better. I would be happier if we win the EuroCup final!"