Karnowski's father: All of Poland is watching Gonzaga

Gonzaga big man Przemek Karnowski has burst onto the national stage thanks to his 7-foot-1, 300-pound frame and burly beard.

Now becoming more of a well-known name nationally thanks to Gonzaga's march to the national championship game and adored in Spokane, Wash. where Gonzaga is located, he is already a national hero back home in his native Poland.

During the Zags' Final Four game against South Carolina on Saturday, Karnowski's father, Bonifacy, could be seen in the crowd watching his son help Gonzaga win the game.

"I'm very happy. It’s a great moment for Gonzaga, for Przemek, for Polish supporters, because Polish television make a direct transmission from here," Bonifcacy said to Mike Lopresti of NCAA.com. "The whole country is watching. First time in history."

Karnowski received a medical redshirt for this season after only playing in five games in 2015-16 and undergoing back surgery. That time off was hard for not only Karnowski, but also his family.

"It was really a hard time for Przemek and for the whole family," Bonifacy said. "Przemek was in Spokane and we were in Poland, 6,000 miles away."

"I mean, he couldn't even get in or out of car, or really walk," head coach Mark Few said. "And then I was really worried about depression. Emotionally, he wasn't in a great place. So going from those dark days to right now, it literally is miraculous, and I'm not using that term lightly."

Karnowski was able to bounce back, averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds as the starting center this season, all the while playing in front of over 77,000 fans on Saturday and again on Monday.

"Biggest sport hall in Poland is only 15,000," Bonifcacy said. "A great day for basketball in U.S.A."