Erazem Lorbek
Encyclopedia
Erazem Lorbek is a Slovenia
n professional basketball player. He is a 6 foot forward-center
who currently plays with the Liga ACB club FC Barcelona
.
, the top basketball club in his hometown and in the Slovenian league
, and he attended Michigan State University
in the U.S.
, where he played for the Spartans
in the 2002-03 season as a freshman, averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. However, he chose to return to Europe after a year at Michigan State, signing a deal with Fortitudo Bologna
of the Italian league
, where he played from 2003 to 2006 (the team was known as Skipper Bologna in the 2003-2004 season and Climamio Bologna from 2004–2006).
Lorbek won the Euroleague 2004-05
Rising Star award
and originally declared for the 2004 NBA Draft
, but he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 NBA Draft
by the Indiana Pacers
. But the Pacers did not sign him and Lorbek continued to play in Europe. During the 2011 NBA Draft the Indiana Pacers traded the rights to Lorbek to The San Antonio Spurs.
Lorbek began the 2006-07 season on loan from the Spanish league
club Unicaja Málaga to the Italian league club Benetton Treviso
; however, in February 2007, the deal was voided by the Italian Basketball Federation due to unspecified violations of federation regulations. Lorbek then signed with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian league, where he became one of the best power forwards
of the Euroleague
. He joined the Russian League
club CSKA Moscow
in 2008, with whom he reached the Euroleague final
in his first season and was voted to the All-Euroleague Second Team.
On August 18, 2009 he was transferred to Liga ACB club FC Barcelona
for an undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year contract with the possibility to leave and join NBA after his second year.
Lorbek's rights were traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 NBA Draft.
. With Slovenia's national team he has played at the 2005
, 2007
and 2009 FIBA European Championships
. He was one of the top players of the 2009 tournament and earned the power forward
position in the All-Tournament Team. In 2011 he said he didn't want to play for the Slovenian national basketball team at 2011 FIBA European Championships
just 15 minutes before training camp started. Two days later, he changed his mind and is going to represent Slovenia at the Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania.
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
n professional basketball player. He is a 6 foot forward-center
Forward-Center
Forward–center is a basketball position for players who play or have played both forward and center on a consistent basis. Typically, this means power forward and center, since these are usually the two biggest player positions on any basketball team, and therefore more often overlap each...
who currently plays with the Liga ACB club FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet, known as FC Barcelona Regal for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club. It is part of the FC Barcelona sports club and was founded on August 24, 1926 which makes it the oldest club in Liga ACB. The club competes in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto...
.
Pro career
Lorbek was developed by the youth program of KK Union OlimpijaKK Union Olimpija
-Depth Chart:-In: Ben Woodside Deon Thompson Aleksandar Ćapin Jaka Blažič Danny Green Ratko Varda Robert Rothbart -Out: Giorgi Shermadini - return from a loan Kenny Gregory Samo Udrih Aloysius Anagonye Vladimir...
, the top basketball club in his hometown and in the Slovenian league
Premier A Slovenian Basketball League
The Premier A Slovenian Basketball League , abbreviated as 1. A SKL and known for sponsorship reasons as the Telemach League , is the top-level professional men's basketball league in Slovenia...
, and he attended Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he played for the Spartans
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
in the 2002-03 season as a freshman, averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. However, he chose to return to Europe after a year at Michigan State, signing a deal with Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
of the Italian league
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
, where he played from 2003 to 2006 (the team was known as Skipper Bologna in the 2003-2004 season and Climamio Bologna from 2004–2006).
Lorbek won the Euroleague 2004-05
Euroleague 2004-05
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2004–2005 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries...
Rising Star award
Euroleague Rising Star
The Euroleague Rising Star is the annual award for the Euroleague's best player, aged 22 and under, throughout the Euroleague season, up until the Euroleague Final Four stage of the season...
and originally declared for the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
, but he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
by the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. But the Pacers did not sign him and Lorbek continued to play in Europe. During the 2011 NBA Draft the Indiana Pacers traded the rights to Lorbek to The San Antonio Spurs.
Lorbek began the 2006-07 season on loan from the Spanish league
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
club Unicaja Málaga to the Italian league club Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
; however, in February 2007, the deal was voided by the Italian Basketball Federation due to unspecified violations of federation regulations. Lorbek then signed with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian league, where he became one of the best power forwards
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
of the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
. He joined the Russian League
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
club CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
in 2008, with whom he reached the Euroleague final
Euroleague 2008-09
The Euroleague 2008-09 season was the ninth international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe under the ULEB umbrella. The season, which featured 24 teams from 13 different countries, culminated in the 2008-09 Euroleague Final Four at the new O2 World arena in Berlin,...
in his first season and was voted to the All-Euroleague Second Team.
On August 18, 2009 he was transferred to Liga ACB club FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet, known as FC Barcelona Regal for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club. It is part of the FC Barcelona sports club and was founded on August 24, 1926 which makes it the oldest club in Liga ACB. The club competes in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto...
for an undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year contract with the possibility to leave and join NBA after his second year.
Lorbek's rights were traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Slovenian national team
Lorbek is also a member of the Slovenian national basketball teamSlovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
. With Slovenia's national team he has played at the 2005
Eurobasket 2005
The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
, 2007
Eurobasket 2007
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
and 2009 FIBA European Championships
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
. He was one of the top players of the 2009 tournament and earned the power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
position in the All-Tournament Team. In 2011 he said he didn't want to play for the Slovenian national basketball team at 2011 FIBA European Championships
Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
just 15 minutes before training camp started. Two days later, he changed his mind and is going to represent Slovenia at the Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania.