Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Last updated

Mindaugas Kuzminskas
Mindaugas Kuzminskas 2023.jpg
Kuzminskas in 2023
No. 19–AEK Athens
Position Power forward / small forward
League GBL
BCL
Personal information
Born (1989-10-19) 19 October 1989 (age 35)
Vilnius, Lithuania
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
NBA draft 2011: undrafted
Playing career2006–present
Career history
2006–2007 Sakalai
2007–2008 Perlas
2008–2010Šiauliai
2010–2013 Žalgiris Kaunas
2013–2016 Unicaja Málaga
2016–2017 New York Knicks
2018–2019 Olimpia Milano
2019 Olympiacos
2019–2021 Lokomotiv Kuban
2021–2022 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2022–2023 Pınar Karşıyaka
2023–present AEK Athens
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania
EuroBasket
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2013 Slovenia
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2015 France

Mindaugas Kuzminskas (born 19 October 1989) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player and the vice-captain for AEK Athens of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the Basketball Champions League (BCL). He also represents the Lithuanian national team in international competition. He is 2.05 m (6'8 3⁄4") tall, and he can play at both the small forward and power forward positions.

Contents

Professional career

Kuzminskas with Lithuanian national team. Mindaugas Kuzminskas by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg
Kuzminskas with Lithuanian national team.

Europe

Kuzminskas started his basketball career in 2006 with Sakalai where he played for one season. For the 2007–08 season, he moved to Perlas. In the summer of 2008, he signed with Šiauliai.[ citation needed ]

In September 2009, Kuzminskas signed with Žalgiris, but he stayed one more season on loan with Šiauliai. [1] In 2010, he joined Žalgiris and stayed with the team for three seasons.[ citation needed ]

In June 2013, Kuzminskas signed a contract with the Spanish team Unicaja. [2] On 22 October 2015, Kuzminskas scored his EuroLeague career-high 23 points and led his team to triumph versus the Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–82 in Tel Aviv. [3] Then on 13 November, Kuzminskas played his most efficient EuroLeague game of 30 PIR points (22 points (2FG: 6/7, 3FG: 3/5, FT: 1/1), 4 rebounds, 3 steals) and led Unicaja to another outstanding away-game victory, this time against CSKA Moscow, winning 86–78. [4] [5] [6] In 36 league games for Unicaja in 2015–16, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.[ citation needed ]

NBA

On 9 July 2016, Kuzminskas signed with the New York Knicks. [7] [8] [9] On 25 October 2016, he made his debut for the Knicks in their season opener, scoring seven points in nine minutes off the bench in a 117–88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. [10] On 12 January 2017, he scored a season-high 19 points in a 104–89 win over the Chicago Bulls. [11]

On 12 November 2017, Kuzminskas was waived by the Knicks to make room for the return of the suspended Joakim Noah. [12] He appeared in 68 games during his rookie season, but just one game to begin his second season. [13]

Return to Europe

On 1 January 2018, Kuzminskas signed with the Italian club Olimpia Milano. [14] On 1 July 2019, Kuzminskas parted ways with Olimpia Milano after a season and a half playing for them and winning one Italian championship.[ citation needed ]

On 22 July 2019, Kuzminskas signed a two-year contract with Greek club Olympiacos. [15] On 9 November 2019, with playing time declining since October, Kuzminskas was released from the Greek club.

On 11 November 2019, Kuzminskas signed a €1.5 million deal with Lokomotiv Kuban. [16] [17] Kuzminskas was selected to the 2020 VTB United League All-Star Game where he scored 14 points, grabbed 1 rebound and dished out 4 assists. [18] During the 2020–21 season, Kuzminskas averaged 13 points και 4.5 rebounds in 40 games in the VTB United League and the EuroCup.[ citation needed ]

On 5 July 2021 he signed with the Russian team Zenit Saint Petersburg of the VTB United League and the EuroLeague. [19] He left the team after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [20]

On 21 September 2022 he signed with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). [21]

On July 22, Kuzminskas joined AEK Athens. [22] In the end of the season, he renewed his contract with the club until 2026. [23]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold Career high

EuroLeague

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGPIR
2010–11 Žalgiris 816.8.357.167.6671.0.1.3.01.61.3
2011–12 1208.4.555.143.7061.3.2.2.02.82.8
2012–13 23514.1.527.324.8293.1.3.5.27.17.7
2013–14 Unicaja 241614.2.472.314.6332.3.5.5.36.35.6
2014–15 242021.8.450.275.8134.51.5.9.410.012.5
2015–16 232021.3.486.377.8273.41.0.6.312.011.6
2017–18 Olimpia 141321.6.474.432.7952.41.4.5.610.99.6
2018–19 30117.0.514.469.8593.3.7.5.38.58.8
Career1587616.5.475.359.8003.0.8.5.28.18.3

Eurocup

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGPIR
2019–20 Lokomotiv 4023.3.500.385.8462.01.5.5.312.511
2020–21 191526.4.550.344.7754.41.5.3.712.413.6

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2016–17 New York 68514.9.428.321.8091.91.0.4.26.3
2017–18 New York 102.0.000——.0.0.0.0.0
Career69514.8.426.321.8091.81.0.4.26.2

Personal life

Both of Kuzminskas' parents were professional athletes, his father, Vladas, played table tennis, while his mother, Zita, was a professional basketball player. [24] He also has an older brother, Saulius, who was also a professional basketball player between 1999 and 2015. [25] When Kuzminskas was 13 he visited Canada. During his trip to Canada, he toured the Toronto Raptors' arena [26] and went to Kretinga, a Lithuanian Youth Summer Camp in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. [27] In 2017, after 6 years of dating, he married Lithuanian ballet dancer Eglė Andreikaitė. The couple announced their separation in 2019. [28]

Don't Snooze On Kuz

While in the NBA, a fan-made Instagram account entitled "dontsnoozeonkuz" gained popularity through various satirical and serious postings about Kuzminskas. The account mainly focused on promoting Kuzminskas as a basketball player, and frequently requested his then-current team, the New York Knicks, to increase his playing time. Kuzminskas followed "dontsnoozeonkuz," which has amassed over 1,200 followers as of 29 June 2017. "Dontsnoozeonkuz" is still active today despite the end of Kuzminskas' NBA tenure.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BC Žalgiris</span> Basketball team in Kaunas, Lithuania

Basketball Club Žalgiris commonly known as BC Žalgiris, is a professional basketball club based in Kaunas, Lithuania. They compete domestically in the Lithuanian Basketball League and internationally as a long-term licensed EuroLeague team. Since the 2011–12 season, Žalgiris has played its home games in Žalgiris Arena in the New Town district of Kaunas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lietuvos krepšinio lyga</span> Lithuanian mens basketball league

Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, also known as Betsafe LKL for sponsorship reasons, is the premier professional men's club basketball league in Lithuania. It is composed of 10 teams, and it is a member of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. The best LKL clubs are also annual participants of the top European-wide basketball competitions, including the top-tier level EuroLeague.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BC Rytas</span> Lithuanian basketball team

Rytas Vilnius is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania. They compete domestically in the Lithuanian Basketball League and the King Mindaugas Cup, while internationally in the FIBA Champions League since 2020–21. Rytas have won two EuroCup titles, seven Lithuanian League titles, five LKF / King Mindaugas Cups and three Baltic championships. The team plays its domestic home games in the Jeep Arena and they share the ASG Arena with BC Wolves for their European home games. The club was founded in 1997 from another club, BC Statyba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulius Jankūnas</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Paulius Jankūnas is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player who mainly played for Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague. He was also a member of the senior Lithuanian national team. Jankūnas played at either center or power forward, with power forward being his main position. He earned an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BC Neptūnas</span> Basketball team in Klaipėda, Lithuania

Basketball Club Neptūnas, commonly known as Neptūnas or Neptūnas Klaipėda, is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in Klaipėda, Lithuania. The club participates in the Lithuanian Basketball League. It was founded in 1962 under the name BC Maistas and in 1964, BC Maistas's name was changed to BC Neptūnas. The club carries the name of the Roman sea god Neptune. Neptūnas participated in the 2014–15 EuroLeague season and is only the third Lithuanian club to participate in the premier European basketball league, after Žalgiris and Rytas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonas Mačiulis</span> Lithuanian basketball player and executive

Jonas Mačiulis is a Lithuanian professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager for Lietkabelis Panevėżys of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). Standing at 1.98 m, he mainly played at the small forward position. As a member of the senior Lithuanian national team, he earned an All-EuroBasket Team selection in 2015, as Lithuania won the silver medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantas Kalnietis</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Mantas Kalnietis is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player who last played for Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague. He was also a member of the Lithuanian national basketball team. He would preferably take the point guard position, but could play shooting guard as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artsiom Parakhouski</span> Belarusian basketball player

Artsiom Parakhouski is a Belarusian professional basketball player for Śląsk Wrocław of the PLK. Standing at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), he plays at the center position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoran Dragić</span> Slovenian basketball player (born 1989)

Zoran Dragić is a Slovenian professional basketball player who plays for Bilbao Basket of the Liga ACB. He also represents the Slovenian national basketball team internationally. Standing at 1.96 m, he plays the shooting guard and small forward positions. He is the younger brother of Goran Dragić.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martynas Pocius</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Martynas Pocius is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player. He was also a member of the Lithuanian national basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axel Toupane</span> French basketball player (born 1992)

Axel Toupane is a French professional basketball player. Toupane also represents the senior French national team in international events. At 2.01 m tall and 101 kg (223 lb), he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgaras Ulanovas</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Edgaras Ulanovas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player and the team captain for Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adas Juškevičius</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Adas Juškevičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski of the Polish Basketball League (PLK). He is a combo guard who stands 1.94 m tall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joffrey Lauvergne</span> French basketball player (born 1991)

Joffrey Lauvergne is a French professional basketball player for LDLC ASVEL of the French LNB Élite and the EuroLeague. He was drafted 55th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2013 NBA draft, who then traded his rights to the Denver Nuggets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marius Grigonis</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Marius Grigonis is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroLeague. Standing at a height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he plays at the small forward and shooting guard positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augusto Lima</span> Brazilian basketball player

Augusto César Lima Brito is a Brazilian-Spanish professional basketball player for Unicaja of the Liga ACB. He is 6'10" (2.08m) tall and he can play as either a power forward or a center. He is left handed, but at the age of ten, his parents forced him to learn to write and shoot with the right. He was born in Rio de Janeiro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomas Dimša</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Tomas Dimša is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Žalgiris Kaunas of the LKL and the EuroLeague. He mostly plays at the shooting guard position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artūras Gudaitis</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Artūras Gudaitis is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Alvark Tokyo of the Japanese B.League. Standing at 2.08 m, he plays at the center position. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 47th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel Hayes-Davis</span> American basketball player

Nigel Hayes-Davis is an American professional basketball player for Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers. Hayes attended Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rokas Jokubaitis</span> Lithuanian basketball player (born 2000)

Rokas Jokubaitis is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague.

References

  1. ↑ "Zalgiris inks Kuzminskas". Sportando.com. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Unicaja announce Mindaugas Kuzminskas". Eurobasket.com. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rekordinio Mindaugo Kuzminsko vakaro atgarsiai: "Nesustabdomas. Užkariautojas. Žvaigždė"". 24sek.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "CSKA Moscow vs. Unicaja Malaga - Game". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Mindaugas Kuzminskas sužaidė geriausias karjeros Eurolygoje rungtynes". BasketNews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Ispanija ekstazėje – su Kuzminsku nors ir į pasaulio kraštą". 24sek.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Knicks Sign Mindaugas Kuzminskas". NBA. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "M. Kuzminskas – jau oficialiai NBA žaidėjas: tapau "Knicks" šeimos nariu!" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Mindaugas Kuzminskas: apie atradimus Niujorke, Porzingio pagalbą ir muzikinius sugebėjimus". BasketNews.lt. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Knicks vs. Cavaliers – Box Score". ESPN.com. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "Knicks beat Bulls with big games from Anthony, Rose, Noah". ESPN.com. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "With Joakim Noah returning from suspension, Knicks waive Mindaugas Kuzminskas". ESPN.com. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  13. ↑ "New York Knicks waive forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas". NBA.com. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "Mindaugas Kuzminskas is coming to Milan". Olimpiamilano.com. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  15. ↑ Γραβιά, Τζένη (22 July 2019). ""'Έπιασε" Λιμάνι ο Κουζμίνσκας!". Olympiacos BC (in Greek). Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "Mindaugas Kuzminskas joined Loko!". lokobasket.com. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Oficialu: 1,5 mln. eurų uždirbsiantis M.Kuzminskas padėjo parašą po sutartimi su "Lokomotiv-Kuban" ekipa". krepsinis.net (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  18. ↑ ""Pasaulio" rinktinei atstovavę A.Juškevičius ir M.Kuzminskas žibėjo Rusijos žvaigždžių mače". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  19. ↑ "Миндаугас Кузминскас – новый игрок БК "Зенит"!". fc-zenit.ru (in Russian). 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Guerre en Ukraine: ces joueurs étrangers qui n'ont pas quitté les équipes russes engagées en Euroleague | Basket Europe". 11 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Mindaugas Kuzminskas officially joins Pinar Karsiyaka". Eurohoops. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  22. ↑ Sportando, Redazione (22 July 2023). "AEK expected to sign Mindaugas Kuzminskas - Sportando". Sportando. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  23. ↑ Maggi, Alessandro (15 July 2024). "Mindaugas Kuzminskas re-signs with Aek until 2026 - Sportando". Sportando. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  24. ↑ Vorkunov, Mike (30 January 2017). "Why Not EuroKnicks? For Struggling Team, Hope From Abroad". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "S.Kuzminskas pranešė apie karjeros pabaigą" (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "Instagram post by Mindaugas Kuzminskas • Jan 15, 2017 at 7:07pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  27. ↑ "Lithuanian Youth Camp Kretinga / Kretingos Stovykla". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  28. ↑ "M. Kuzminskas patvirtino gandus apie skyrybas su žmona: aš norėjau šeimos ir vaikų" (in Lithuanian). 22 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.