Lancers' Surmacz to turn pro in Poland
By Chris Kerr
Sports Editor
August 26, 2009
 Windsor basketball favourite Greg Surmacz will return to his native land to play professionally for AZS Zagaz Koszalin in the Polish PLK League.
The powerhouse forward had many offers but chose to play in his native Poland.
“He signed a great deal,” said Lancers’ Head Coach Chris Oliver, “we all wish him the best.”
The six-foot-eight Surmacz was among the season leaders in scoring throughout his career in Windsor.
Surmacz was recently named the Ontario University Athletics West MVP for the second year in a row with the Windsor Lancers and named First All-Canadian for the 2008-2009 season, as well as representing Canada in the World University Games at Belgrade, Serbia.
Surmacz’s ability to score and his court control, combined with his sheer mass, had made him one of the most dangerous players in the West division.
Surmacz averaged 19.7 points per game in the 2008-2009 season, placing him tenth overall in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport standings.
His rebounding skills were also a force to be reckoned with, averaging 7.6 per game.
In addition to Surmacz’s talent, a consistent display of leadership and desire to be the best was clearly visible last season, he helped his team get to a CIS top 10 ranking in every week that year.
Oliver says Surmacz’s obvious talent is not the sole attribute to his success.
In an interview earlier this summer, Oliver reflected on Surmacz’s development at the University of Windsor, saying that the forward’s commitment, work ethic and ability to lead his teammates developed exponentially over his three years.
Oliver said that Surmacz teammates and coaches had a lot to do with his success.
“Surmacz has also had a lot of teammates and coaches push and support him through his time at Windsor on and off the court. It is a redundant message in our program that individual success comes from team success but accomplishments like Greg’s reflect that message.”
“Greg’s most important evolution at Windsor had been as a person and that’s what has taken his game to the next level. The talent was never in doubt.”
For Oliver, talent is obviously a key asset for a player like Surmacz, but it cannot stand on its own.
“Talent is not enough – Greg’s practice habits, game preparation, and the relationships with his teammates have all contributed greatly to his development into one of the top CIS players in Canada,” said Oliver.
Oliver is pleased with Surmacz growth under his coaching, but the bounty of such growth is much deserved by Surmacz, said Oliver.
“Greg has earned a wonderful reward for all his work and commitment to our program. We are proud of him and we all look forward to following his progress as he embarks on his professional career,” said Oliver.
Surmacz, raised in Peterborough, Ont., was born in Poland.
He will go full-circle in playing professional basketball for the city of Koszalin’s most beloved team.
AZS Koszalin’s basketball team was ranked 7th in Polska Liga Koszykówki (PLK) in 2008-2009 season.
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