Kurowski's inspiration from NBL import to play NBL1

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A former NBL import opened up Australia as the first stop for Thomas Kurowski's professional career after the University of Chicago, and now his focus is helping Norwood Flames do the 'simple' things well in NBL1 Central.

When Kurowski graduated from UChicago in 2025 having had a tremendous senior season with the Maroons making the All-UAA First Team he knew that he wanted to play basketball professionally, but had no idea where that could take him initially.

He had the inspiration of his own dad's playing and coaching career to spur him on, but it was a former NBL import and fellow Chicago-native Arne Duncan that opened up Kurowski's eyes up to coming down under.

Things worked out where he spoke with Norwood coach Miles Pearce. They were quickly on the same page so he signed up to play with the Flames in the NBL1 Central as the first stop in a professional career that he's open to where it could take him.

But as a first stop he couldn’t be happier with what he's found in Adelaide and at the Flames, and the impact he's had in their 2-2 start as they attempt to rise up the table in 2026 after claiming a wooden spoon in 2025.

"I love it out here, Adelaide has been a great place to start my pro career and life after college," Kurowski said.

"The city and area has been very easy to adjust to: the weather has been great, the food is good, and there’s beaches nearby, so I don’t have any complaints.

"Basketball wise, my teammates and Coach Miles Pearce have all been a great group of guys; we get along well and have fun both on and off court, there’s never a dull moment with the guys.

"I’m looking forward to an exciting rest of the season and showing the league that Norwood can really play."

Former NBL import as inspiration

After graduating last year, once Kurowski started working out with Duncan at home in Chicago who had initially come to Australia to play in the NBL with the Eastside Spectres in 1988 and stayed in the country for several years playing state league, he liked what he heard.

Using that inspiration and guidance from Duncan, as soon as Kurowski found out an NBL1 team was keen on his services as a rookie out of college, he couldn’t sign on with Norwood for 2026 quickly enough.

"After school finished, I had continued living and working part time in Chicago while still training and playing basketball, hoping to land a pro spot somewhere," Kurowski said.

"One of the main guys I had been working out with, Arne Duncan, had actually played in Australia in the NBL and was trying to help me find a spot to play somewhere overseas.

"And as far as self-discipline, giving back and love of the game, (not to mention his skill and talent within the game of basketball) Arne is one of the most inspiring people I’ve met and been around.

"He’s been a great friend and mentor that really helped reach out and connect me to some people from Australia who were able to find this opportunity for me. There were also many others that helped along the way trying to find me an opportunity."

Wanting to play professionally

Having known of his dad's playing exploits and being coached by him, then coming through at UChicago including a strong relationship with head coach Mike McGrath, Kurowski always had some strong guidance and help in what he should pursue as a playing career.

"Deep down, I knew I had always wanted to play pro basketball. After graduating, I knew what I wanted, and that I wasn’t quite ready to let go of the game I loved and put so much time into," Kurowski said.

"I would say that I envisioned myself playing basketball somewhere overseas trying to play for as long as I could while becoming the best player that I could.

"Seeing new places and traveling around experiencing new things also is a great perk of playing pro basketball, so that’s also intriguing to me.

"My dad was a great player and now Coach who I played for, he loves the game just about as much as anyone I know, so as I got older the goal always was to play pro and keep basketball a main priority in my life for as long as I can."

Reflecting on college career

Kurowski finished his four years with the University of Chicago in 2025 where his role and output kept growing year on year with 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16 minutes as a freshman, 11.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in 30 minutes as a sophomore, and 13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 31 minutes as a junior.

Then as a senior he had 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 32 minutes to make the All-First Team for the University Athletic Association. He knew after that he wanted play basketball anywhere a chance might open up around the world.

"My time at the University of Chicago was a great one to say the least," Kurowski said.

"The school itself is a tremendous institution with so many amazing professors, alumni, and classmates who are all very talented and unique in various aspects of life. To also have the opportunity to play basketball at UChicago was a very great experience.

"We travelled all over the country (and a foreign trip to Turkey and Croatia) playing different teams, eating at great restaurants for alumni dinners, seeing historic venues and memorials, and always made the most out of every trip, game, meal, or practice together.

"I’m very grateful to have chosen UChicago for all the great memories, education, and lifelong friends I was able to make there."

Rollercoaster season so far

The numbers over the first four games with Norwood for Kurowski are impressive with him putting up 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.5 steals on shooting 48 per cent from the field and 35 per cent from downtown.

But it has been a rollercoaster ride with impressive wins over the Southern Tigers and North Adelaie Rockets, but losses to the Woodville Warriors and South Adelaide Panthers.

After a 22-point win over the Tigers, the Flames took on the Panthers in the last ever game at Marion. That did turn out a frustration night on a number of fronts for both Kurowski and the rest of his team.

"Coming off a great game and win against the Tigers, myself and the team were all feeling very confident and excited and looking forward to being game of the week vs South in one of the last games at Marion gym," Kurowski said.

"I think we were able to get away with some stuff against the Tigers that South didn’t allow. From the start, South had tried to be extra physical and take me out of the game as much as possible.

"I didn’t respond the best and should’ve made some adjustments early on to help get my teammates open better and be more of a setup guy or decoy to get some other guys going."

What that loss to South Adelaide emphasised for Kurowski and the rest of the Norwood team is how important it is above everything else it is do the simple things right.

That's to say, if you do what you are supposed to, follow the plan and scout, and do it well, then usually it leads to good things and everything else takes care of itself.

That's going to continue to be the focus moving forward.

"Campbell Scott came through big time and was torching the nets out the gate, as well as others that helped us big time to pick up for some of my lack of scoring and offensive struggles this game," he added.

"And at the half, we were up 13 I think, so I was feeling good about the game despite my rough start. The second half, more so end of the third going into the fourth, was where we kind of beat ourselves and had our downfall, and South took advantage and we never quite gained back a lead.

"At any league and level, it’s hard to win games, Coach wrote on the board before the game, 'Simple isn’t easy.'

"And that sums up what this game and the rest of the season is about: many things that go into winning and playing well can be simple in theory, but in terms of executing and consistently doing the 'easy' things in order to win.

"There are many obstacles and hurdles that will arise day in and day out which will challenge our team collectively and individually. So finding ways to help each other consistently do the simple things better will lead us to a successful season."

Adjusting to new style of basketball

While Kurowski was open to starting his professional career overseas, he didn’t fully know what to expect and had no idea what he was in for once he got off the plane in Adelaide both in terms of the lifestyle and basketball.

But it's fair both fronts have surpassed all his expectations so far.

"The basketball style of play here has been a bit different from the US. The games are more physical and most of the offenses have been fast paced read and react actions. I’ve enjoyed playing and adjusting to it," Kurowski said.

"The lifestyle here in Adelaide is very good, there are a lot of cafes and shops that people are always out and about to enjoying their day.

"Overall, I think that the style of life is very enjoyable and freeing, the people are very kind and there’s many things to see and do whether it’s walking around a nature trail in a park looking for wildlife, chilling by the beach, or going to the town with some mates to check out the fringe and hit a few pubs.

"Adelaide, and Australia in general, seems like great a place to live and explore many new things."

Setting goals for the future

Now that Kurowski is getting the first taste of playing professionally overseas, it's only confirmed his beliefs that he wants to do it for as long as he can.

Right now his focus is trying to bring as much success as he can with Norwood in NBL1 Central. He sees no reason why playing Australia couldn't becoming an on-going thing, but at the same time he's open to any other possibilities.

"I’d say I want to play basketball for as long as I can and enjoy doing so, however long that may be," Kurowski said.

"Right now, I’m taking it day by day and game by game in terms of the outlook for this season and just working every day to become the best player that I can be.

"First and foremost, I want to win as much as possible and make it to playoffs and help make a name for the Norwood Flames! Wherever basketball takes me, I’ll always be thankful for the journey and opportunities along the way."

Having a supportive family

Kurowski might now be on the other side of the world from his family and friends back home, but he's doing all he can to share his experience in Australia with them and is looking forward to at least some of them coming out to visit at some point in 2026.

"My family has been very supportive and excited for me as I’ve gotten the opportunity to play in Australia, even though it’s on the other side of the world and now about 14 hours ahead of them back home," Kurowski said.

"One of my parents or a few friends may make a trip out to visit, I’m not sure yet, other than that I’ve been in good contact with them and found the right times to talk with them."