Grymek Finds New Home 5,000 Miles From Her Native Poland
August 22, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Oregon State post is poised for breakout season
Over 5,500 miles from her hometown of Krakow, Poland, Joanna Grymek will begin the next phase of her basketball this winter.
The 6-foot-8 center joined the Beavers on campus this summer, as a junior transfer from Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan. Before being recruited by Oregon State, Grymek knew very little about the state she now lives, but the post player found the right fit with the Beavers, largely because of the culture created by the coaching staff and players on the team.
"There are great people here at OSU and they made it a good fit for me," Grymek said. "Everyone on the staff has been very welcoming, and I really like the other players on the team."
Grymek moved to the United States in the winter of 2014. After redshirting her first winter and Seward County, she made an immediate impact for the Saints in her debut campaign, leading the team with 13.2 points per game and earning First Team All-Jayhawk Conference honors. She followed that up by averaging 15.4 points per contest last season, shooting a blistering 60.7 percent from the floor.
With the challenge of moving into the Pac-12 ahead of her, Grymek is focused on continuing to grow as a student-athlete heading into her junior season.
"I just need to keep working hard and to give my best every day," she said. "I will keep learning and growing as a player. That's what I can control, so that's what I need to focus on."
Grymek started to take basketball seriously around the age of 15. Early on she looked up to Polish forward Ewelina Kobryn, who has been a fixture on the national team and has seen stints with the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury in the midst of an extensive European basketball career. Grymek got her first chance to earn a regular starting role when she moved Kansas, and has not looked back.
"At Seward County, I got to develop my skills and confidence on the court," she said. "I also got to learn more about American basketball, which is different from European basketball – the play is more physical, more aggressive and faster. I had to adjust to all of that."
Grymek's parents have not yet seen her play a game in the United States, as they are often kept busy with work commitments. Joanna hopes that might change this season, but in the meantime, she has found a new home in Corvallis, and a new family in her Oregon State teammates.
The center has become particularly close with sophomore guard Mikayla Pivec, and she has found a great fit in the Best College Town in the Pac-12.
"It is really gorgeous here," Grymek said. "The climate is very similar to my hometown and the people here are all very friendly. I love it."
OREGON STATE ATHLETICS' EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS CULTURE
Through the power of sport, we help people discover and pursue their passions, talents and purpose in order to live a life of balance and positive contribution.
Â
The 6-foot-8 center joined the Beavers on campus this summer, as a junior transfer from Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan. Before being recruited by Oregon State, Grymek knew very little about the state she now lives, but the post player found the right fit with the Beavers, largely because of the culture created by the coaching staff and players on the team.
"There are great people here at OSU and they made it a good fit for me," Grymek said. "Everyone on the staff has been very welcoming, and I really like the other players on the team."
Grymek moved to the United States in the winter of 2014. After redshirting her first winter and Seward County, she made an immediate impact for the Saints in her debut campaign, leading the team with 13.2 points per game and earning First Team All-Jayhawk Conference honors. She followed that up by averaging 15.4 points per contest last season, shooting a blistering 60.7 percent from the floor.
With the challenge of moving into the Pac-12 ahead of her, Grymek is focused on continuing to grow as a student-athlete heading into her junior season.
"I just need to keep working hard and to give my best every day," she said. "I will keep learning and growing as a player. That's what I can control, so that's what I need to focus on."
Grymek started to take basketball seriously around the age of 15. Early on she looked up to Polish forward Ewelina Kobryn, who has been a fixture on the national team and has seen stints with the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury in the midst of an extensive European basketball career. Grymek got her first chance to earn a regular starting role when she moved Kansas, and has not looked back.
"At Seward County, I got to develop my skills and confidence on the court," she said. "I also got to learn more about American basketball, which is different from European basketball – the play is more physical, more aggressive and faster. I had to adjust to all of that."
Grymek's parents have not yet seen her play a game in the United States, as they are often kept busy with work commitments. Joanna hopes that might change this season, but in the meantime, she has found a new home in Corvallis, and a new family in her Oregon State teammates.
The center has become particularly close with sophomore guard Mikayla Pivec, and she has found a great fit in the Best College Town in the Pac-12.
"It is really gorgeous here," Grymek said. "The climate is very similar to my hometown and the people here are all very friendly. I love it."
OREGON STATE ATHLETICS' EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS CULTURE
Through the power of sport, we help people discover and pursue their passions, talents and purpose in order to live a life of balance and positive contribution.
Â
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