Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, as well as the largest city in the Baltic states, and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The population of Riga metropolitan area, which stretches beyond the city limits, is estimated at 860,142. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea. Riga's territory covers 307.17 km2 (118.60 sq mi) and lies 1–10 m (3.3–32.8 ft) above sea level, on a flat and sandy plain.
Valdis Valters is a retired Latvian professional basketball player. He played at the point guard position for the senior USSR national team. He is regarded as one of the greatest players to have played the game in Europe in the 1980s. Considering his lengthy work and deep connection to the sport, Valters has been one of the most influential people in Latvian basketball history. He became a FIBA Hall of Fame player in 2017.
The Latvia men's national basketball team represents Latvia in international basketball. They are organized and run by the Latvian Basketball Association. Latvia has reached the European Basketball Championship 15 times, with their ultimate success occurring during the inter-war period, when they became the first team to win the tournament in 1935. Four years later, they had another impressive run to come away with the silver in 1939. Although after 1939, Latvia were forced to suspend their national team operations, due to the Occupation of the Baltic states during World War II. Latvia regained independence in 1991, with their national team taking part in international competition once again a year later.
Arena Riga is an indoor arena in Riga, Latvia. It is primarily used for ice hockey, basketball and concerts. Arena Riga holds a maximum of 14,500 and was opened on 15 February 2006.
VEF Rīga is a Latvian professional basketball team that is based in Riga, Latvia. VEF Rīga is a ten-time Latvian Basketball League champion.
Valdis Muižnieks was a Latvian basketball player.
Kristaps Janičenoks is a Latvian professional basketball player who currently plays for VEF Rīga. He also plays for the Latvian national basketball team.
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played three-a-side, with one backboard and in a half-court setup. According to an ESSEC Business School study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee, 3x3 is the largest urban team sport in the world. This basketball game format is currently being promoted and structured by FIBA, the sport's governing body. Its primary competition is an annual FIBA 3X3 World Tour, comprising a series of Masters and one Final tournament, and awarding six-figure prize money in US dollars. The FIBA 3x3 World Cups for men and women are the highest tournaments for national 3x3 teams. The 3x3 format has been adopted for both the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Alfrēds Krauklis was a former Latvian basketball player and coach, one of the leaders of the Latvian national basketball team in the 1930s, and winner of the silver medal in FIBA EuroBasket 1939. Once he stopped playing, he became a coach and sports event organizer.
Jānis Timma is a Latvian professional basketball player for Grises de Humacao of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He also represents the senior Latvian national team. At a height of 2.01 m, he plays mainly at the small forward position.
Ingus Jakovičs is a Latvian professional basketball guard for Básquet Coruña of the LEB Oro. He is also a member of the Latvian national team.
Valdemārs Kristaps Baumanis was a Latvian basketball player, basketball and football coach.
Mārtiņš Kravčenko is a Latvian professional basketball player who plays the guard position and plays for Latvian Basketball League club BK Jēkabpils. Most of his career he spent at BK Barons which in 2008 won the Latvian Basketball League and FIBA EuroCup championships.
The Latvian Basketball Association, also known as LBS, is the national governing body of basketball in Latvia. It was founded in 1923 and was one of the FIBA Europe co-founders, but due to the Soviet and Nazi occupations, the federation disappeared from FIBA from 1940 to 1991. Its headquarters are located in Riga.
Eduards Andersons was a Latvian basketball player. Andersons won a gold medal at the 1935 EuroBasket competition, becoming the first European champion. He participated also at the 1936 Summer Olympics and at the 1937 EuroBasket.
Mārtiņš Grundmanis was a Latvian basketball player. Grundmanis won a gold medal at the 1935 EuroBasket competition, becoming the first European champion. He also participated at the 1936 Summer Olympics and at the 1937 EuroBasket.
Andris Misters is a Latvian professional basketball player for CSM Ploiești of the Liga Națională. He plays as shooting guard.
Raimonds Feldmanis is a Latvian former professional basketball player and professional basketball coach who helped Latvian 3x3 national team win gold medals in 2020 Summer Olympics.
Kristaps Dārgais is a Latvian professional basketball player and a professional dunker. He is currently playing for BK Ogre at both forward positions.
The major sports of youth street sports and culture movement Ghetto Games are 3x3 basketball, 3x3 football, 3x3 floorball, pancration - Ghetto Fight, street dance - Ghetto dance and such extreme sports as BMX, skateboarding, extreme inline, scooters, wakeboarding, velo trial and velo trial bikes and freestyle motorcycle. Individual sports might have direction as well, such as 1vs1 football and 1vs1 basketball. The event also includes the musical project similar to X-Factor.
