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Linas KleizaLithuanian professional basketball player
Date of Birth: 03.01.1985
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Linas Kleiza: Lithuanian Basketball Superstar
- College and NBA Draft
- NBA Career: Portland and Denver
- European Dominance and Return to the NBA
- International Career
Linas Kleiza: Lithuanian Basketball Superstar
Early Life and School CareerLinas Kleiza began his basketball journey in the United States, graduating from Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, in 2003. As a member of Lithuania's youth national team, he led them to a silver medal at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, averaging an impressive 29.1 points per game.
College and NBA Draft
After high school, Kleiza enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he spent two years. In 2005, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 27th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
NBA Career: Portland and Denver
Although Kleiza was traded to the Denver Nuggets shortly after being drafted, he initially struggled to make an impact. However, in his second NBA season, he significantly improved his three-point shooting and playing time, averaging 7.6 points per game. Kleiza continued to make strides in the 2007-08 season, earning valuable minutes as a backup to All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Despite rumors of a trade, he remained with the Nuggets for his entire four-year NBA career.
European Dominance and Return to the NBA
After becoming a free agent in 2009, Kleiza signed a lucrative contract with Greek powerhouses Olympiacos Piraeus. He quickly adapted to European basketball, becoming a key contributor and leading his team to the Greek Cup in 2010. Kleiza also earned the Alphonso Ford Trophy in the EuroLeague that year. In 2010, he returned to the NBA, signing a multi-year deal with the Toronto Raptors.
International Career
Beyond his NBA and European successes, Kleiza has been a mainstay in Lithuania's national basketball team. He represented his country at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the 2007 EuroBasket (where Lithuania won bronze), the 2008 Olympics, and the 2010 FIBA World Championship (where Lithuania secured another bronze medal).
