Nationality Lithuanian Name Linas Kleiza School University of Missouri College Missouri (2003–2005) Salary 4.605 million USD (2012) | Listed weight 107 kg (236 lb) Height 2.03 m Listed height 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) Role Basketball player Siblings Zilvinas Kleiza | |
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Position Power forward / Small forward Born January 3, 1985 (age 39)
Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, USSR ( 1985-01-03 ) High school Montrose Christian School
(Rockville, Maryland) Current team Fenerbahce Men's Basketball Team (#11 / Small forward) Similar People Zeljko Obradovic, Dwane Casey, Andrew Bogut, Jesse Mermuys, Alex McKechnie | ||
Linas kleiza highlights euroleague 2014 2015 full hd
Linas Kleiza ([ˈlʲɪn̪ɐs̪ kʲlʲɛɪ̯ˈz̪ɐ]; born January 3, 1985) is a former Lithuanian professional basketball player. Standing at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), he played at the small forward and power forward positions. In 2010, he was the Alphonso Ford Trophy winner and a member of the All-EuroLeague First Team.
Contents
- Linas kleiza highlights euroleague 2014 2015 full hd
- Kleiza Scores 41 As Nuggets Beat Jazz all Kleizas shots
- Early years
- College career
- Denver Nuggets
- Olympiacos
- Toronto Raptors
- Fenerbahe lker
- Emporio Armani Milano
- Lithuanian national team
- Ownership of BC Lietuvos rytas
- Awards and accomplishments
- Career statistics
- Personal life
- References
Kleiza represented the senior Lithuanian national basketball team in international competitions. He led them to a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and was chosen to the All-Tournament Team. He also won a silver medal in the EuroBasket 2013, earning an All-EuroBasket Team selection, and a bronze medal in the EuroBasket 2007.
Kleiza Scores 41 As Nuggets Beat Jazz (all Kleiza's shots)
Early years
Kleiza was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. At 16 years old he moved to the United States where he attended Montrose Christian School and graduated in 2003. He played on the Lithuanian Junior National Team that won the silver medal at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. He led the tournament in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game on 58 percent shooting. As a senior, he was named a third-team Parade All-American.
College career
Kleiza played college basketball with the University of Missouri Tigers. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 by the league coaches as a sophomore. He also earned All-Tournament honors at the 2005 Big 12 Tournament after averaging 29.5 points and 9 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets
Kleiza was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 27th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers then dealt his draft rights, along with Ricky Sanchez to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Jarrett Jack. Kleiza was seldom-used in his rookie season. He averaged 3.5 points and 8.5 minutes per game.
He improved on his three-point shooting in his sophomore year, making 83–221, after only making two three-pointers in his rookie year. He also saw some more time on the court and averaged 7.6 points on 42 percent shooting in 18.8 minutes per game. After the season, Denver picked up their team option on his contract for another season.
Kleiza became a big part of Denver's rotation in the 2007–08 season, mostly backing up Denver's starting small forward Carmelo Anthony. However, he was involved in a lot of trade talks, most notably a trade involving Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings. On January 17, 2008, Kleiza scored a career high 41 points against the Utah Jazz. His scoring average was up to 11.1 points per game and his shooting percentage was up to 47 percent.
Many expected Kleiza to make a similar leap in production in his fourth year in the league. However, most of his season averages were slightly off from the 2007–08 season. He averaged 9.9 points on 45 percent shooting. His minutes dwindled down in the playoffs. The Nuggets' head coach George Karl, said Kleiza played fewer minutes because he is not a playmaker.
Olympiacos
On August 10, 2009, Kleiza agreed to a two-year, $12.2 million (€8.6 million euros) gross income contract with the Greek League team Olympiacos. He averaged 17.2 points per game and grabbed 6.4 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague, reaching the EuroLeague Finals with the Reds. Kleiza led the league in scoring, thus winning the Alphonso Ford Trophy, becoming the first Lithuanian to do so.
Toronto Raptors
On July 7, 2010, Kleiza terminated his contract with Olympiacos. He was signed by the Toronto Raptors to a four-year, $20 million gross income offer sheet. In January 2011, he suffered a serious meniscal tear in his right knee and was out for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. On February 1, 2011, Kleiza underwent arthroscopic surgery. He returned to court on January 11, 2012 in a game against the Sacramento Kings. In 14 minutes of game action, he scored 10 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out an assist. On July 16, 2013, the Raptors used the amnesty clause to waive Kleiza.
Fenerbahçe Ülker
On July 26, 2013, Kleiza signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahçe Ülker. On July 1, 2014, he officially parted ways with Fenerbahçe.
Emporio Armani Milano
On July 21, 2014, Kleiza signed a one-year deal with the Italian team EA7 Emporio Armani Milano. After the season he withdrew from professionally playing basketball for unlimited period of time due to knee problems, but did not announce his retirement from the sport.
Lithuanian national team
Kleiza has also played with the senior men's Lithuanian national basketball team. He played at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and he won the bronze medal at the FIBA EuroBasket 2007 and the silver medal at the FIBA EuroBasket 2013. He also played with Lithuania at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. After a poor performance in FIBA EuroBasket 2009, Kleiza led his team to a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, averaging 19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He was chosen for the All-Tournament Team. Because of his knee injury, he wasn't able to help Lithuania at FIBA EuroBasket 2011.
Ownership of BC Lietuvos rytas
On July 13, 2017, it was announced that Kleiza received part of the BC Lietuvos rytas shares from Antanas Guoga. Furthermore, he was named vice president of the club and will also act as sports director.
Awards and accomplishments
Career statistics
Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.
Personal life
On June 28, 2014, Kleiza married Agneta Karalevičiūtė. On June 29, 2015, the pair's first child was born. He was named Jokūbas.