Jirí Welsch
Encyclopedia
Jiří Welsch (ˈjɪr̝iː ˈvɛlʃ) (born January 27, 1980) is a Czech
professional basketball player with Spirou Basket of the Basketball League Belgium
. Welsch has played in the National Basketball Association
league in the United States, having been drafted in 2002
by the Philadelphia 76ers
.
, where he played until 1998. He then signed with CSA Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic league for the 1998-99 season, and then he moved to Union Olimpija Ljubljana
of the Slovenian League, where he played until 2002. He was named the Slovenian League Most Valuable Player
following the 2001-02 season campaign.
with the 16th selection of the 2002 NBA Draft
, but he was immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors
for a future first-round draft pick and a future first or second round draft pick. He spent one season with the Warriors, averaging 1.6 points per game, 0.8 rebounds per game, and 0.7 assists per game in 37 games in the 2002-03
season before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks
, along with Antawn Jamison
, Chris Mills
and Danny Fortson
, in exchange for Evan Eschmeyer
, Nick Van Exel
, Avery Johnson
, Popeye Jones
and Antoine Rigaudeau
on August 18, 2003. Without ever playing a game for them, Welsch, along with Mills, Raef LaFrentz
and a lottery-protected 2004 NBA Draft pick
, was traded by Dallas to the Boston Celtics
on October 20, 2003 in exchange for Antoine Walker
and Tony Delk
. Welsch started 68 games for the Celtics in the 2003-04
season, averaging 9.2 points per game.
Welsch averaged 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in 136 games played (100 of them starts) in 2003-04 and 2004-05
, while playing with the Celtics. On February 24, 2005, Welsch was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers
for a future 2007 first-round draft pick
.
On June 28, 2005, Welsch was traded by the Cavs to the Milwaukee Bucks
for a 2006 second round draft pick
.
In July 2011 he signed a two-year contract with Spirou Basket in Belgium
.
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Golden State
| 37 || 0 || 6.3 || .253 || .250 || .759 || .8 || .7 || .22 || .05 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Boston
| 81 || 68 || 26.9 || .428 || .381 || .743 || 3.7 || 2.3 || 1.25 || .09 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Boston
| 55 || 32 || 20.5 || .428 || .323 || .773 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .71 || .09 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Cleveland
| 16 || 0 || 12.0 || .235 || .182 || .714 || 1.8 || 1.2 || .31 || .00 || 2.9
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 58 || 2 || 14.9 || .387 || .286 || .747 || 1.9 || 1.1 || .59 || .02 || 4.3
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Boston
| 4 || 4 || 26.0 || .478 || .250 || 1.000 || 3.0 || 2.3 || 0.5 || .0 || 8.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 4 || 0 || 3.8 || .500 || .0 || .750 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 0.25 || .0 || 1.8
|-
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
professional basketball player with Spirou Basket of the Basketball League Belgium
Basketball League Belgium
The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar...
. Welsch has played in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
league in the United States, having been drafted in 2002
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
.
Early years
Welsch began his professional career as a teenager with BHC SKP Pardubice of the Czech Republic LeagueNational Basketball League (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic National Basketball League , also called the Mattoni NBL for sponsorship reasons, is the top level professional basketball league in the Czech Republic. The league operates under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom two NBL teams from each season's standings are...
, where he played until 1998. He then signed with CSA Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic league for the 1998-99 season, and then he moved to Union Olimpija Ljubljana
KK 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...
of the Slovenian League, where he played until 2002. He was named the Slovenian League Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
following the 2001-02 season campaign.
NBA
Welsch was drafted by the NBA club the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
with the 16th selection of the 2002 NBA Draft
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
, but he was immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for a future first-round draft pick and a future first or second round draft pick. He spent one season with the Warriors, averaging 1.6 points per game, 0.8 rebounds per game, and 0.7 assists per game in 37 games in the 2002-03
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
season before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
, along with Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
, Chris Mills
Chris Mills
Christopher Lemonte Mills is a retired American professional basketball player.Chris Mills attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, from 1986–1988. At 6'7", he was the starting center for each of his three years playing varsity basketball there. In 1987 and 1988, he was awarded the City 4-A...
and Danny Fortson
Danny Fortson
Daniel Anthony Fortson is an American former professional basketball player. He played power forward/center in the NBA from 1997 to 2007.-Early life:...
, in exchange for Evan Eschmeyer
Evan Eschmeyer
Evan Bruce Eschmeyer is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the New Jersey Nets in the 2nd round of the 1999 NBA Draft. A 6'11" center from Northwestern University, Eschmeyer played in four NBA seasons from 1999–2003...
, Nick Van Exel
Nick Van Exel
Nickey Maxwell "Nick" Van Exel is a retired American professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks...
, Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson is a former American professional basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Association team New Jersey Nets. He has also coached the Dallas Mavericks, leading them to their first NBA Finals appearance and four consecutive 50+ win seasons...
, Popeye Jones
Popeye Jones
Ronald Jerome "Popeye" Jones is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. He is now an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets....
and Antoine Rigaudeau
Antoine Rigaudeau
Antoine Roger Rigaudeau nicknamed Le Roi , is a retired French professional basketball player....
on August 18, 2003. Without ever playing a game for them, Welsch, along with Mills, Raef LaFrentz
Raef LaFrentz
Raef Andrew LaFrentz is a retired American professional basketball power forward and center who played in the NBA from 1998 to 2009. Born and raised in Iowa, LaFrentz attended the University of Kansas and was drafted in 1998 by the Denver Nuggets...
and a lottery-protected 2004 NBA Draft pick
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...
, was traded by Dallas to the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
on October 20, 2003 in exchange for Antoine Walker
Antoine Walker
Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League...
and Tony Delk
Tony Delk
Tony Lorenzo Delk is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team. He was team leader of the 1996 University of Kentucky Wildcats team that won the 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
. Welsch started 68 games for the Celtics in the 2003-04
2003-04 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves*Rookie of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers*Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers...
season, averaging 9.2 points per game.
Welsch averaged 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in 136 games played (100 of them starts) in 2003-04 and 2004-05
2004-05 NBA season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association . It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating defending champion Detroit Pistons 4–3 in the NBA Finals....
, while playing with the Celtics. On February 24, 2005, Welsch was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for a future 2007 first-round draft pick
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
.
On June 28, 2005, Welsch was traded by the Cavs to the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
for a 2006 second round draft pick
2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
.
Back to Europe
In August 2006, Welsch decided to leave the NBA and he signed with the Spanish ACB League club Unicaja Málaga.In July 2011 he signed a two-year contract with Spirou Basket in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Golden State
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 37 || 0 || 6.3 || .253 || .250 || .759 || .8 || .7 || .22 || .05 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 81 || 68 || 26.9 || .428 || .381 || .743 || 3.7 || 2.3 || 1.25 || .09 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Boston
| 55 || 32 || 20.5 || .428 || .323 || .773 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .71 || .09 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
| 16 || 0 || 12.0 || .235 || .182 || .714 || 1.8 || 1.2 || .31 || .00 || 2.9
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 58 || 2 || 14.9 || .387 || .286 || .747 || 1.9 || 1.1 || .59 || .02 || 4.3
|-
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2003–04
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| align="left" | Boston
| 4 || 4 || 26.0 || .478 || .250 || 1.000 || 3.0 || 2.3 || 0.5 || .0 || 8.0
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 4 || 0 || 3.8 || .500 || .0 || .750 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 0.25 || .0 || 1.8
|-