Linas Kleiza
Encyclopedia
Linas Kleiza is a Lithuania
n professional basketball player with the Toronto Raptors
of the National Basketball Association
. He is also a member of the Lithuanian national team
. He can play either forward position. Kleiza signed a four year, $18.8 million contract prior to the 2010–11 NBA season
.
and graduated in 2003. He played on the Lithuanian Junior National Team that won the silver medal at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
. He led the tournament in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game on 58 percent shooting.
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.
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.
8.6 million euros) gross income
contract with the Greek League
team Olympiacos Piraeus. He averaged 17.2 points per game and grabbed 6.4 rebounds per game. He also won the Alphonso Ford Trophy
.
to a four-year, $20 million dollar gross income
offer sheet.
because of the long-time NBA lock-out. He said that he would join Lietuvos Rytas
or Žalgiris
. On November 24, 2011 Žalgiris owner Vladimir Romanov
declared that he wasn't interested in signing Kleiza due his serious knee injury.
and he won the bronze medal at the 2007 FIBA European Championship
. He also played with Lithuania at the 2008 Olympics
. After a poor performance in Eurobasket 2009
, Kleiza led his team to a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship
, averaging 19.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 1.4 apg. He was chosen in the All-Tournament team. Because of his knee injury he wasn't able to help Lithuania in EuroBasket 2011
.
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Denver
| 61 || 2 || 8.5 || .445 || .154 || .704 || 1.9 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 3.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Denver
| 79 || 14 || 18.8 || .422 || .376 || .852 || 3.4 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 7.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Denver
| 79 || 13 || 23.9 || .472 || .339 || .770 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Denver
| 82 || 7 || 22.2 || .447 || .326 || .725 || 4.0 || .8 || .4 || .2 || 9.9
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Toronto
| 39 || 23 || 26.5 || .438 || .298 || .631 || 4.5 || 1.0 || .5 || .2 || 11.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 340 || 59 || 19.9 || .447 || .336 || .752 || 3.6 || .8 || .4 || .2 || 8.6
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Denver
| 3 || 0 || 4.7 || .375 || .000 || .000 || 1.3 || .7 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Denver
| 5 || 0 || 13.2 || .231 || .167 || .500 || 1.6 || .4 || .0 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Denver
| 4 || 3 || 30.5 || .537 || .214 || .692 || 6.5 || .8 || .2 || .0 || 14.0
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Denver
| 14 || 0 || 15.0 || .470 || .425 || .750 || 3.2 || .5 || .4 || .1 || 6.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 26 || 3 || 15.8 || .461 || .344 || .718 || 3.2 || .5 || .2 || .0 || 6.4
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n professional basketball player with the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
of 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...
. He is also a member of the Lithuanian national team
Lithuania national basketball team
The Lithuanian national basketball team is the representative for Lithuania in international men's basketball. Lithuania won bronze medals in three out of five Olympic tournaments it participated in....
. He can play either forward position. Kleiza signed a four year, $18.8 million contract prior to the 2010–11 NBA season
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
.
Early years
Kleiza attended the Montrose Christian SchoolMontrose Christian School
Montrose Christian School is a K-12 private school in Rockville, Maryland, operated by the Montrose Baptist Church, Maryland's second largest Southern Baptist church. It educates around 370 students...
and graduated in 2003. He played on the Lithuanian Junior National Team that won the silver medal at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
FIBA Under-19 World Championship
The FIBA Under-19 World Championship is a men's under-19 only basketball competition organized by FIBA. From its inauguration in 1979 until 2007 it was held every four years...
. He led the tournament in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game on 58 percent shooting.
College career
Kleiza played college basketballCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
with the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Tigers
Missouri Tigers men's basketball
The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at...
. 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 BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
with the 27th pick 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...
. The Trail Blazers then dealt his draft rights, along with Ricky Sanchez
Ricky Sanchez
Ricardo "Ricky" Sánchez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He has played with the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League and the Continental Basketball Association, and with the Caguas Creoles and Humacao Grays in the National Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico actually...
to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in exchange for Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Matthew Jack is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. At 6' 3" tall and weighing 197 lbs , he primarily plays at the guard position...
. 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
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...
. However, he was involved in a lot of trade talks, most notably a trade involving Ron Artest
Ron Artest
Metta World Peace is an American professional basketball player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004...
of the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. On January 17, 2008, Kleiza scored a career high 41 points against the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. 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
George Karl
George Matthew Karl is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association player. He is the current head coach of the Denver Nuggets. On December 10, 2010 he became the seventh coach in NBA history to record 1,000 wins.-Biography:Karl was born in Penn Hills,...
, said Kleiza played fewer minutes because he is not a playmaker.
Olympiacos Piraeus
On August 10, 2009, Kleiza agreed to a two-year, $12.2 million (€Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
8.6 million euros) gross income
Gross income
Gross income in United States tax law is receipts and gains from all sources less cost of goods sold. Gross income is the starting point for determining Federal and state income tax of individuals, corporations, estates and trusts, whether resident or nonresident."Except as otherwise provided" by...
contract with the Greek League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
team Olympiacos Piraeus. He averaged 17.2 points per game and grabbed 6.4 rebounds per game. He also won the Alphonso Ford Trophy
Alphonso Ford Trophy
The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy is the annual award given to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague's leading scorer throughout the Euroleague season, up until the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four stage of the season...
.
Toronto Raptors
On July 7, 2010, Kleiza terminated his contract with Olympiacos. He was signed by the Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
to a four-year, $20 million dollar gross income
Gross income
Gross income in United States tax law is receipts and gains from all sources less cost of goods sold. Gross income is the starting point for determining Federal and state income tax of individuals, corporations, estates and trusts, whether resident or nonresident."Except as otherwise provided" by...
offer sheet.
Return to Lithuania
On November 22, 2011, he declared that he would play in LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
because of the long-time NBA lock-out. He said that he would join Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
or Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
. On November 24, 2011 Žalgiris owner Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Nikolayevich Romanov ; born 1947 in Tver Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR) is an ethnic Russian businessman who also holds Lithuanian citizenship following that country's independence from the Soviet Union. He is chairman of UBIG Investments which is the majority shareholder in Scottish Premier...
declared that he wasn't interested in signing Kleiza due his serious knee injury.
Lithuanian national team
Kleiza has also played with the senior Lithuanian national basketball team. He played at the 2006 FIBA World Championship2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
and he won the bronze medal at the 2007 FIBA European Championship
Eurobasket 2007
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
. He also played with Lithuania at the 2008 Olympics
Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China...
. After a poor performance in Eurobasket 2009
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...
, Kleiza led his team to a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship
2010 FIBA World Championship
The 2010 FIBA World Championship, hosted by Turkey, was the international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 28 to September 12, 2010. It was co-organized by the International Basketball Federation , Turkish Basketball Federation and the...
, averaging 19.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 1.4 apg. He was chosen in the All-Tournament team. Because of his knee injury he wasn't able to help Lithuania in EuroBasket 2011
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...
.
Awards and accomplishments
- Gatorade High School Player of the Year: (2003)
- 2003 FIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipFIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipThe FIBA Under-19 World Championship is a men's under-19 only basketball competition organized by FIBA. From its inauguration in 1979 until 2007 it was held every four years...
: Silver Medal - EuroBasket 2007Eurobasket 2007-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
: Bronze Medal - Won the Greek CupGreek basketball CupThe Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
: (2010) - Alphonso Ford TrophyAlphonso Ford TrophyThe Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy is the annual award given to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague's leading scorer throughout the Euroleague season, up until the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four stage of the season...
: (2010) - All-Euroleague first team player (2010)
- 2010 FIBA World Championship, Turkey2010 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 2010 FIBA World Championship, hosted by Turkey, was the international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 28 to September 12, 2010. It was co-organized by the International Basketball Federation , Turkish Basketball Federation and the...
- Bronze medalist and All-Tournament Team
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Denver
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
| 61 || 2 || 8.5 || .445 || .154 || .704 || 1.9 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 3.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Denver
| 79 || 14 || 18.8 || .422 || .376 || .852 || 3.4 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 7.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Denver
| 79 || 13 || 23.9 || .472 || .339 || .770 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Denver
| 82 || 7 || 22.2 || .447 || .326 || .725 || 4.0 || .8 || .4 || .2 || 9.9
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 39 || 23 || 26.5 || .438 || .298 || .631 || 4.5 || 1.0 || .5 || .2 || 11.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 340 || 59 || 19.9 || .447 || .336 || .752 || 3.6 || .8 || .4 || .2 || 8.6
Playoffs
|-| 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" | Denver
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
| 3 || 0 || 4.7 || .375 || .000 || .000 || 1.3 || .7 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | Denver
| 5 || 0 || 13.2 || .231 || .167 || .500 || 1.6 || .4 || .0 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Denver
| 4 || 3 || 30.5 || .537 || .214 || .692 || 6.5 || .8 || .2 || .0 || 14.0
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Denver
| 14 || 0 || 15.0 || .470 || .425 || .750 || 3.2 || .5 || .4 || .1 || 6.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 26 || 3 || 15.8 || .461 || .344 || .718 || 3.2 || .5 || .2 || .0 || 6.4