Darius Songaila
Encyclopedia
Darius Songaila (born February 14, 1978) is a Lithuanian professional basketball
player. He is also a member of the Lithuania national team
. He can play power forward
and center
positions. He currently plays for Galatasaray Medical Park in Turkey
.
in New Hampton, New Hampshire
. He played the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998. He was also named to the All-European Under-22 Championship 2nd Team.
at Wake Forest University
. He was named 3rd Team All-ACC in 2000 and 2nd-Team All-ACC in 2002. He was also named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
as a senior.
by the Boston Celtics
, who eventually dealt his rights to the Sacramento Kings
.
He joined CSKA Moscow
for the 2002–03 season and won the Russian Basketball Super League
.
Songaila signed with the Kings in June 2003. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 154 games (28 starts) with the Kings over two seasons.
Songaila signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls
in September 2005. He had his most successful season yet with the Bulls, averaging 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 62 games (7 starts). However, he suffered an ankle injury in March 2006 and missed the final 20 games.
On July 17, 2006, Songaila signed with the Washington Wizards
. The deal reportedly was worth 23 million dollars over five years. He missed the first 45 games after a surgery for a herniated disc and averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 37 games (1 start).
Songaila eventually became a big part of the Wizards' bench and an occasional starter. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 2007–08. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Songaila became a starter because of the injuries suffered by teammates Brendan Haywood
and Andray Blatche
. He started a career-high 29 games and averaged 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds.
On June 23, 2009, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
along with Oleksiy Pecherov
, Etan Thomas
, and a first-round draft pick for Randy Foye
and Mike Miller.
On September 9, 2009, he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets along with Bobby Brown
in exchange for Antonio Daniels
and a 2014 second-round pick.
On September 23, 2010, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
along with rookie forward Craig Brackins
in exchange for Willie Green
and Jason Smith. Songaila had career lows with the 76ers, notably in points (1.6 ppg). With the 2010-2011 NBA season coming to an end, he became an unrestricted free agent.
In July 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Galatasaray in Turkey
worth $1.5 million.
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 73 || 7 || 13.4 || .487 || .000 || .807 || 3.1 || .7 || .6 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 81 || 21 || 20.6 || .527 || .000 || .847 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
| 62 || 7 || 21.4 || .481 || .400 || .817 || 4.0 || 1.4 || .6 || .3 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Washington
| 37 || 1 || 18.9 || .524 || .000 || .852 || 3.6 || 1.0 || .5 || .3 || 7.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Washington
| 80 || 13 || 19.4 || .458 || .000 || .918 || 3.4 || 1.7 || .7 || .2 || 6.2
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Washington
| 77 || 29 || 19.8 || .532 || .000 || .889 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .8 || .3 || 7.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 75 || 1 || 18.8 || .494 || .167 || .811 || 3.1 || .9 || .8 || .2 || 7.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 10 || 0 || 7.1 || .467 || .0 || .500 || 1.0 || 0.2 || .0 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 495 || 79 || 18.6 || .499 || .158 || .844 || 3.4 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 6.9
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 7 || 0 || 12.1 || .625 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.9 || .3 || .0 || .1 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 5 || 0 || 15.0 || .421 || .000 || .800 || 2.8 || .6 || .4 || .2 || 4.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Washington
| 4 || 0 || 22.5 || .488 || .000 || 1.000 || 3.3 || 1.0 || .8 || .0 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Washington
| 5 || 0 || 15.4 || .421 || .000 || .867 || 2.6 || .8 || .2 || .0 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 0 || 15.6 || .484 || .000 || .897 || 2.5 || .6 || .3 || .1 || 5.6
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is also a member of the Lithuania 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 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...
and center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
positions. He currently plays for Galatasaray Medical Park in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Early years
Songaila attended the New Hampton SchoolNew Hampton School
New Hampton School is an independent college preparatory high school located in New Hampton, New Hampshire, in the New England region of the northeastern United States...
in New Hampton, New Hampshire
New Hampton, New Hampshire
New Hampton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,165 at the 2010 census. A winter sports resort area, New Hampton is home to George Duncan State Forest and to the New Hampton School, a private preparatory school established in 1821.The primary village in...
. He played the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998. He was also named to the All-European Under-22 Championship 2nd Team.
College career
Songaila 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....
at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
. He was named 3rd Team All-ACC in 2000 and 2nd-Team All-ACC in 2002. He was also named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
as a senior.
Pro career
Songaila was selected with the 50th pick of the 2002 NBA Draft2002 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 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...
, who eventually dealt his rights to 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...
.
He joined 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...
for the 2002–03 season and won the Russian Basketball Super 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...
.
Songaila signed with the Kings in June 2003. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 154 games (28 starts) with the Kings over two seasons.
Songaila signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in September 2005. He had his most successful season yet with the Bulls, averaging 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 62 games (7 starts). However, he suffered an ankle injury in March 2006 and missed the final 20 games.
On July 17, 2006, Songaila signed with the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. The deal reportedly was worth 23 million dollars over five years. He missed the first 45 games after a surgery for a herniated disc and averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 37 games (1 start).
Songaila eventually became a big part of the Wizards' bench and an occasional starter. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 2007–08. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Songaila became a starter because of the injuries suffered by teammates Brendan Haywood
Brendan Haywood
Brendan Todd Haywood is an American professional basketball player. The 7' 0", 263-lb. center currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association.-College:...
and Andray Blatche
Andray Blatche
Andray Blatche is an American professional basketball player in the NBA for the Washington Wizards.-High school:...
. He started a career-high 29 games and averaged 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds.
On June 23, 2009, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
along with Oleksiy Pecherov
Oleksiy Pecherov
Oleksiy Pecherov is a Ukrainian basketball player. He stands at 7'0".The NBA's Washington Wizards selected him with the 18th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft; Pecherov signed a contract with the Wizards on July 5, 2007. Pecherov had previously played with Paris Basket Racing internationally...
, Etan Thomas
Etan Thomas
Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas , is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association.-College:...
, and a first-round draft pick for Randy Foye
Randy Foye
Randy Foye is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He played collegiately at Villanova University. He was selected seventh overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, and later traded to...
and Mike Miller.
On September 9, 2009, he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets along with Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown (basketball)
Robert 'Bobby' Douglas Brown is an American professional basketball player.-Amateur career:...
in exchange for Antonio Daniels
Antonio Daniels
Antonio Robert Daniels is an American professional basketball player. He most recently played for the Philadelphia 76ers.-Career:...
and a 2014 second-round pick.
On September 23, 2010, he was traded to 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...
along with rookie forward Craig Brackins
Craig Brackins
Craig Lee Brackins is an American basketball player with the Philadelphia 76ers.He played collegiately for the Iowa State Cyclones. A power forward, Brackins was the highest-touted recruit to choose Iowa State after spending time at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire...
in exchange for Willie Green
Willie Green
Willie J. Green is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA. He was selected in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics and later acquired by Philadelphia from Seattle in a draft-night trade for the draft rights...
and Jason Smith. Songaila had career lows with the 76ers, notably in points (1.6 ppg). With the 2010-2011 NBA season coming to an end, he became an unrestricted free agent.
In July 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Galatasaray in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
worth $1.5 million.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Sacramento
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...
| 73 || 7 || 13.4 || .487 || .000 || .807 || 3.1 || .7 || .6 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 81 || 21 || 20.6 || .527 || .000 || .847 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 62 || 7 || 21.4 || .481 || .400 || .817 || 4.0 || 1.4 || .6 || .3 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Washington
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
| 37 || 1 || 18.9 || .524 || .000 || .852 || 3.6 || 1.0 || .5 || .3 || 7.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Washington
| 80 || 13 || 19.4 || .458 || .000 || .918 || 3.4 || 1.7 || .7 || .2 || 6.2
|-
| 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" | Washington
| 77 || 29 || 19.8 || .532 || .000 || .889 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .8 || .3 || 7.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 75 || 1 || 18.8 || .494 || .167 || .811 || 3.1 || .9 || .8 || .2 || 7.2
|-
| 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" | Philadelphia
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...
| 10 || 0 || 7.1 || .467 || .0 || .500 || 1.0 || 0.2 || .0 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 495 || 79 || 18.6 || .499 || .158 || .844 || 3.4 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 6.9
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" | Sacramento
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...
| 7 || 0 || 12.1 || .625 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.9 || .3 || .0 || .1 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 5 || 0 || 15.0 || .421 || .000 || .800 || 2.8 || .6 || .4 || .2 || 4.0
|-
| 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" | Washington
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
| 4 || 0 || 22.5 || .488 || .000 || 1.000 || 3.3 || 1.0 || .8 || .0 || 10.8
|-
| 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" | Washington
| 5 || 0 || 15.4 || .421 || .000 || .867 || 2.6 || .8 || .2 || .0 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 0 || 15.6 || .484 || .000 || .897 || 2.5 || .6 || .3 || .1 || 5.6
External links
- Player profile @ NBA.com