Bonnies Baseline: Built on Belief

Zach Philipkoski and his favorite player both have something in common this season - they’re wearing new jerseys.

LeBron James, Philipkoski’s favorite player, joined the Philadelphia 76ers, while Philipkoski joins St. Bonaventure from Daemen University.

While it might not be on quite the same profile, Philipkoski brings much excitement to his new team as well. 

Before Philipkoski committed to Daemen, a Division II program in Buffalo, he set a New Hartford High School record of 1,850 career points, was named 2023 New York Sportswriters Association Class A Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and led his team to a 2023 state semifinals appearance. 

Even with those accolades, Philipkoski didn’t receive much attention from college coaches. 

“Not many schools at the scholarship level [were interested],” Philipkoski said. “I got a lot of Division III [roster offers], but Coach Mac and his staff believed in me, and Daemen’s where I decided to go.”

In the guard’s first two seasons at Daemen, he primarily came off the bench and appeared in 61 games. Through those first two years, Philipkoski learned selflessness and prioritizing team success. 

“[I was focused on] getting myself on the court, getting better, and doing what I could do to help the team win,” Philipkoski said. “Winning games is the goal at the end of the day.”

The Wildcats achieved that goal. In Philipkoski’s three seasons at Daemen, the Wildcats won nearly 89 percent of their games, the third-highest clip in all of NCAA men’s basketball, and secured back-to-back East Coast Conference regular season titles. 

In Philipkoski’s junior season at Daemen, he broke out. He started all 34 games, averaged a team-high 17.8 points per game, shot a career-best 51.2 percent from the field, and hit 41.9 percent from three-point range, ranking 17th in the nation.  

Philipkoski’s production helped lead the Wildcats to a Division II Elite Eight appearance. In that postseason experience, Philipkoski said he learned composure in big games and how it can help him going forward.

“They were high-pressure situations,” Philipkoski said. “Every single game at St. Bonaventure is a big game, especially with the fans and atmosphere; playing in [past] big games will help you stay composed in close games late.”

In late March, Philipkoski announced he entered the transfer portal, and later committed to the Bonnies, following his head coach Mike MacDonald to the Atlantic 10 ranks.

Philipkoski credited the university’s basketball reputation as a key reason why he committed.

“Obviously, Coach Mac and the former players helped me come here, but also the atmosphere here,” Philipkoski said. “I heard great things about this place and what it could be, especially if you’re winning.”

He added his relationship with MacDonald played a role in his commitment. 

“I have always been a shy guy, and he has pushed me to come outside my comfort zone, and we have a great relationship,” Philipkoski said. “I look up to him. He’s done a whole lot for me.  I know he believes in me and has faith in me. He put me in places where I thrive. He knows me, I know him, and it was a good fit to come here.”

Philipkoski wasn’t the only player to follow MacDonald from Daemen. Ryan Heath and Ben Bill also joined the Bonnies, giving the three established chemistry and familiarity with MacDonald’s coaching style.

“For me, it’s our chemistry that we already have,” Philipkoski said. “For the rest of the team, they can see things Ryan and I or Ben and Ryan do [in practice or games]. Also, if teammates have a question, they can come to me, Ben, or Ryan because we know what Coach Mac is thinking.”

Philipkoski said the transition to Division I has been smooth. 

“We were a really good Division II team, so I didn’t really notice much of a big difference,” Philipkoski said. “Obviously people are taller and faster, but I didn’t feel it was very drastic.”

As Philipkoski starts a new chapter with the Bonnies, his main priority remains team success.

“Obviously I want to make the All-Conference team, but I just want to be the best version I can be to help the team win,” Philipkoski said. “If that means passing up my shot for a better one, then I’ll do that.”