He played center for the Seattle SuperSonics, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

After graduating from All Hallows High School in the Bronx, Polynice played college basketball at the University of Virginia.

As a Freshman during the 1983–84 season, Polynice helped lead the UVA Cavaliers to the 1984 Final Four when they won the NCAA Eastern Region as the # 7 seed.

After three years in college and playing with Serie A's Hamby Rimini in 1986–87, he was selected 8th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1987 NBA draft, but was immediately traded to the Seattle SuperSonics for Scottie Pippen.

In 15 NBA seasons, Polynice averaged 23.5 minutes, 7.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, with a career PER of 13.2.