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Zags get bigger with Polish seven-footer

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Gonzaga v Ohio State

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Elias Harris #20 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs drives for a shot attempt in the second half against Lenzelle Smith, Jr. #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third round of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 17, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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The Gonzaga Bulldogs have always been comfortable with an international roster. Last season, the roster was almost perfectly divided - the Zags could have played a US vs. World scrimmage last season, had they cared for such a gimmick.

With Vancouver’s Robert Sacre graduating, the Zags needed size and, presumably, another foreign-born player. They served both needs this week, locking down a commitment from gargantuan Polish import Przemek Karnowski. The first commit of Gonzaga’s Class of 2012 stands 7'1" and weighs 280 lbs. He was coveted by Duke, but turned down a chance to visit the ACC school, narrowing his choices to West Coast powers Cal and Gonzaga before jumping the Bulldogs’ way.

Karnowski corresponded with the Spokane Spokesman-Review via email this week. “I want to help the team with my low-post game and also I really like to pass from the post to the weak side for the 3-pointer,” Karnowski wrote in an email. “I want to work on improving my body, that’s my main goal for next year. I also want to work on my right hand and my defense.”

Karnowski comes ready to work, from the sound of things. At least one recruiting service ranked him #1 out of this year’s crop of European players. If he pans out as a pivot in his first season, talented big men like Elias Harris (pictured) may be freed to play multiple positions, creating nasty matchup problems for smaller opponents.