Upon further review, Przemek Karnowski tops NCAA wins list

SALT LAKE CITY – Upon further review, Gonzaga’s Przemek Karnowski is the new NCAA Division I all-time wins leader.

Karnowski picked up career win No. 132 in the Zags’ 74-56 victory over Saint Mary’s in the WCC tournament title game in Las Vegas. At the time, it was believed that pulled the 7-foot-1 senior center within one of Duke’s Shane Battier’s 133.

The NCAA doesn’t keep an official wins tally but informed Gonzaga sports information director Barrett Henderson that Battier had 133 victories. The same number was listed in Battier’s bio when he played for the Miami Heat.

Henderson double-checked and received confirmation that Battier didn’t play in two games in the 1998-99 season. Duke’s media guide also lists Battier with 131 wins.

“Just being there on top, that says a lot about our program and what this program is all about,” Karnowski said. “It’s about winning. I can give credit to all my coaches and all my teammates through the five years that I had a chance to work with.”

Karnowski became Gonzaga’s all-time wins leader with 123 when the Zags defeated BYU 85-75 in Provo on Feb. 2. Former Zag guards Kyle Dranginis (122-21) and Kevin Pangos (122-20) had shared the top spot.

Karnowski is 132-14 (90.4 winning percentage) in his career. His 146 career games is second nationally among active players.