Franciszek Borucinski-Hrycyk Q&A

After recent experiences at the adidas NextGen EuroLeague qualifier in Bologna, Italy where he was chosen for the NextGen Select Team, Pro Insight connected with 6’11” Polish big man Franciszek Borucinski-Hrycyk to discuss the basketball culture in his home country, takeaways from his current season, where he sees himself in the future, and much more.

For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2027 prospect Franciszek Borucinski-Hrycyk, from Poland:

Pro Insight: What drew you specifically to basketball?

Franciszek Borucinski-Hrycyk: Basketball was introduced to me by my brother. He was a player himself and spent many years playing in Poland. He’s the one who started my love for the game and inspired me to begin playing. At first, we would play together on outdoor courts, and later he became my first coach.

PI: Tell us more about your background and how you got to where you are today.

FBH: I started playing basketball at a small Warsaw academy called Warsaw Basketball, where my first coach was actually my brother. Later, I joined Machynia Basketball Academy, where I won a Polish Championship silver medal and a bronze medal. I spent high school at the NLO PZKosz in Władysławowo, where my head coach for four years was Mariusz Niedbalski. At the club level, I played for Oknoplast Kraków and Resovia Rzeszów with coach Dawid Mazur, winning a Polish U17 vice-championship and achieving strong results at the U19 national level. All of those experiences have brought me to where I am today and allowed me to develop in the right direction.

PI: Can you describe the Polish basketball culture for our audience?

FBH: Polish basketball stands out for its physicality. We have many strong and tough players. The game might not always be played as fast as in some other European countries, but the physical level of competition in Polish leagues is very high.

PI: Did you play any other sports growing up?

FBH: Yes, I practiced judo and played tennis when I was younger. Around the age of ten, I decided to focus fully on basketball and put my other passions aside.

PI: What have been your biggest adjustments – both on the floor and off the floor – since the beginning of this season?

FBH: Since the start of the season, I’ve definitely improved my shooting consistency. I’ve also started playing much more in the post. Off the court, I focus on daily mobility work and take better care of my sleep and hydration.

PI: For someone who hasn’t seen you play before, how would you describe your game? How do you impact winning?

FBH: I’m a skilled, mobile big man who plays the 4 and 5 positions. I can score both in the post and facing the basket. I run the floor well and consider myself a smart player. I help my team win by bringing energy, making good pick-and-roll plays, and impacting the game on both ends.

PI: Which specific parts of your game are you really trying to improve?

FBH: My main focus is playing with more intensity and physicality. Over the next year, I want to improve my overall strength and physical presence, while also becoming more consistent with my shot.

PI: Can you talk a bit about your recent experience at ANGT?

FBH: The ANGT was an amazing experience. Competing against the best players from my generation was something special. I gained valuable experience and learned a lot from the competition.

PI: When you watch basketball, are there any teams, schools, or players that you like, in particular?

FBH: I really enjoy watching high-level basketball and learning from players who understand the game at a high level, especially teams that move the ball well and play smart team basketball. My favorite teams to watch this season are Paris Basketball and AS Monaco.

PI: Who’s your favorite player?

FBH: My favorite player is Luka Dončić. I really admire his basketball IQ, the way he reads the game, and his one-on-one ability.

PI: Describe your personality off the floor.

FBH: Off the court, I’m a friendly and positive person. I enjoy being around people and love meeting new ones.

PI: What do you like to do in your free time?

FBH: I’m a huge movie fan. I love cinema and the experience of watching something special on the big screen. In my free time, I also enjoy drawing — it helps me relax and stay focused for the rest of the day.

PI: What is your favorite food or snack?

FBH: My favorite food is Polish pierogi and ramen. My favorite snack is definitely white KitKat.

PI: Three years from now, where do you envision yourself?

FBH: In three years, I see myself playing for a strong NCAA college program or developing at a high professional level in Europe.

PI: Last question – what is your dream career outside of pursuing professional basketball?

FBH: If I weren’t playing basketball, I’d love to be involved in filmmaking. Maybe not as an actor, but as a director or someone helping with film production — that world feels very exciting to me.