James Karnik joins Bàsquet Girona: Canadian-Czech center brings EuroCup experience to Spanish club

Bàsquet Girona has announced the signing of Canadian-Czech center James Karnik for the remainder of the season, the club confirmed publicly on Wednesday morning. The 27-year-old pivot, standing at 2.05 meters, arrives after stints with Lithuanian club Neptūnas Klaipėda in the EuroCup and Mongolian team SG Apes, where he was described as one of their most valuable players.

Karnik’s arrival in Girona comes as the Spanish club seeks to bolster its interior presence for the final stretch of the season. According to the club’s announcement, he was signed specifically to strengthen their inside game, with particular emphasis noted on his physicality, rebounding ability, and paint presence.

During his time with Neptūnas Klaipėda in the 2025-26 EuroCup season, Karnik demonstrated his scoring capability, including a notable performance against BAXI Manresa where he recorded 25 points. That game was part of his farewell appearance with the Lithuanian club, where he posted a double-double in a 100-87 victory that overwhelmed the Spanish opponent in Round 6 of the competition.

Following his EuroCup campaign, Karnik joined SG Apes in Mongolia, where he continued to showcase his versatility. Social media posts from the team highlighted his readiness to contribute at both center and power forward positions, with one February 2026 update noting his performance as “PLAYER OF THE GAME” with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and an efficiency rating of 26.

The Canadian-Czech international brings experience from multiple international leagues to the Girona roster. His background includes North American collegiate basketball before pursuing professional opportunities in Europe and Asia, though specific details of his earlier career path were not included in the club’s announcement or verified through available sources.

For Bàsquet Girona, the signing represents a strategic addition as they navigate the latter portion of their season schedule. The club has not disclosed financial terms of the agreement or specific contract length beyond the stated “end of season” timeline.

As Karnik integrates with his latest teammates in Girona, the focus will be on how quickly he can adapt to the Spanish league’s style of play and contribute to the team’s objectives. His track record of productive performances in both European and Asian competitions suggests he possesses the skill set to make an immediate impact in the paint.

The move adds an interesting international dimension to Girona’s roster, combining Karnic’s North American upbringing with his dual Czech-Canadian citizenship and recent experience across Lithuanian and Mongolian leagues.

Bàsquet Girona will look to leverage Karnik’s rebounding prowess and interior defense as they pursue their seasonal goals. His ability to score efficiently in the post, demonstrated by his 25-point outing against Manresa, provides the team with another offensive option in low-post situations.

With the signing now official, attention turns to Karnik’s debut for Girona and how his presence might influence the team’s performance in upcoming fixtures. The club has not announced a specific date for his first appearance, leaving fans to anticipate when the new center will take the court in Girona colors.

As the season progresses, Karnik’s adaptation to the Spanish league and his on-court chemistry with Girona’s existing players will be key factors in determining the success of this mid-season acquisition. His reputation as a strong rebounder and physical presence in the paint aligns with the club’s stated objectives for the signing.

For now, Bàsquet Girona fans will wait to see how James Karnik performs in his new environment, hoping his international experience translates to success on the Spanish hardwood.