pic credit: BC Neptunas Klaipeda

James Karnik (206-C-1998, college: Boston Coll., agency: Players Group) is a 27 year old 206cm forward that has the Canadian/Czech Republic citizenship that is playing his third professional season and with Neptunas Klaipeda (Lithuania-LKL). Last season he played with Donar Groningen (Holland-DBL) averaging 15.8ppg, RPG-2 (10.4), 1.6apg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% in the BNXT and in the ENBL averaged (19.4), RPG-1 (14.1), 1.0apg, BPG-5 (1.3), FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 71.4%. He split his rookie season with the Lions de Geneve (Switzerland-SBL) averaging 10.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg, and in Feb.’23 moved to Basket Brno (NBL) averaging 4.8ppg, 2.8rpg. He also had expereince 3 times playing in Canada twice with the Vancouver Bandits (Canada-CEBL) averaging 8.0ppg, 6.5rpg, BPG-4 (1.4), FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 80.0% and 8.6ppg, 7.3rpg, FGP: 48.3%, FT: 65.0% while also playing with the the Fraser Valley Bandits (Canada-CEBL): 11 games: 14.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 77.5%. He began his career with Orangeville Prep and the played at Lehigh (NCAA) from 2017-2020 improving his scoring average each season. He then added 2 more seasons with Boston College (NCAA) averaging 6.8ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 76.0% and 9.8ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 73.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball before leaving the club and heading back to the States in December 2025

Thanks James for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Neptunas Klaipeda (Lithuania-LKL). After playing in Switzerland and Holland overseas, now your playing with Neptunas Klaipeda (Lithuania-LKL). What kind of an experience has it been playing for this club? What have you enjoyed most about it?

I’ve enjoyed the atmosphere and the more competitive league

Lithiuania is a small country, but basketball crazy. How have you experienced the basketball culture there and what has been the craziest thing that you have witnessed?

They are very passionate about basketball, which makes it a very fun atmosphere to play in

The club has never won a title in Lithuania but did reach the cup final in 2025 and is playing Eurocup. What are the biggest goals of the organization?

I’m no longer with the organization

What exactly is your role on your team? You’re a big man that makes an impact at both ends of the court.

To impact the game by being a relentless hustler an and being a hard worker

You averaged more minutes in the Eurocup than in the LKL. Was it a tough adjustment playing more in one competition than in another?

No the club does a good job managing the players bodies during times of high intensity

What are your biggest goals this season as a player. You had your break through season in Holland last season. Your playing in the Eurocup and aren´t a main go to guy as with Donar Groningen.

Just continue to play hard and what ever happens, happens

Last season you played with Donar Groningen (BNXT League) averaging 15.8ppg, RPG-2 (10.4), 1.6apg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2%; and in the ENBL averaged 19.4), RPG-1 (14.1), 1.0apg, BPG-5 (1.3), FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 71.4%. You had an incredible personal season with Donar Groningen. What kind of a player did you become there?

The same player I’ve always been, just had a solid opportunity to play basketball and play my game

You had a 36 point game in the BNXT as well as a 21 rebound game and a 23 rebound game in the ENBL. You had 13 offensive rebounds against Newcastle. How do you do that. Is there some basketball luck on your side to pull that off?

No just hard work and having my team put me in good position to score.

You played your rookie season with Lions de Geneve (Switzerland-SBL) playing 3 games averaging 10.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg, in Feb.’23 moved to Basket Brno (NBL) playng5 games averaging 4.8ppg, 2.8rpg. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

My rookie season wasn’t good, I was dealing with a knee tendonitis problem that ended taking me away from the game for a whole season.

How tough was this rookie season? What did you learn most from this experience?

You have to advocate for yourself to take care of your body since sometimes no one else will look out for you.

You played 3 summers in Canada in the CEBL with the Bandits. What kind of an experience has Canada been? This is a league on the rise. Do you believe playing competitive instead of just working out at home?

I think it can be a good opportunity to improve if you have the right program to help you develop.

You also have played Euro qualifiers in 2023 and 2025 with the Czech Republic. You were born in Canada and grew up there. What kind of a feeling do you personally have wearing the Czech jersey?

I love being able to put on the Czech jersey and it makes me feel connected to a part of my ancestry.

How do you see the future of the Czech national team? The team has good experience, but are young talented guys coming up and how do you see your role in the future?

I see myself taking a larger role with the team and move into a more experience dependable player for them.

You played at Lehigh University (NCAA) from 2017-2020. You made big strides at Lehigh in your 3 seasons improving your scoring average each season. How did your grow there under head coach Bret Reed?

Coach Reed did a good job on developing his player in to great men off the court. Make us accountable for our actions.

You had many really great games at Lehigh, but how special were the last 2 wins against Loyola MD at the end of your tour of duty there? You had 2 good games and won both in exciting fashion.

It was a good experience, I remember I was coming off an ankle injury at the time so it was nice to start getting into rhythm with those games.

You then played at Boston College (NCAA) averaging 6.8ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 76.0% and 9.8ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 73.2%.You had many great games at Boston College like against Virginia Tech and Duke. What was your favorite game at Boston College?

Duke was by far my favorite game, I felt I was able to take over that game for my team and put us in a winning position. Although we fell short we all fought very hard.

What do you remember from your battles in practice with Quinten Post? Did you have a feeling in 2022 that he could reach the NBA?

Yes QP and I had some good battles in practice. Honestly I felt we both had a solid shot into reaching it into the NBA as we both helped each other improve by pushing each other.

How did head coach Earl Grant help prepare and groom you best for a professional career?

Coach Grant did a very good job to push my on improving my skills and he taught me a lot on how to view the game of basketball.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Quinton Post?

When we first got to school I was winning pretty consistently. But as the season went on QP improved a lot and there were several times where we got the best of each other. One of us would have a bad practice one day and the next we’d always make sure to fight even harder the next day

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life?

I played against Jaylen Brown in high school.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Vit Krejci, Tomas Satoransky, Ignas Brazdekis, Jan Vessely, Deandre Ayton

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

I don´t watch enough basketball to have a say.

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks James for the chat.