Martynas Andriuškevicius
Encyclopedia
Martynas Andriuškevičius ' onMouseout='HidePop("17015")' href="/topics/Kaunas">Kaunas
, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
) is a Lithuania
n professional basketball
player. He is currently playing for PAOK Thessaloniki
in Greek League.
with the 44th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft
. He was then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers
before being traded to the Bulls.
At 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) and 109 kg (240 lb), he is an intriguing prospect because of his height. He developed through the youth academies at Žalgiris Kaunas
, where he was tabbed as one of the top young players in the game. He played in 15 Euroleague
games for the club during the 2004-05 season and was originally projected as one of the top picks in the draft
, but a disappointing season in Europe
and an apparent lack of improvement sent his draft stock spiraling down.
Andriuškevičius has noted perimeter skill for a player of his size, and has trained with former NBA center Arvydas Sabonis
.
On August 18, 2006, Andriuškevičius was traded by the Cavaliers to the Chicago Bulls
for swingman Eddie Basden
. On December 21, as a member of the NBA Development League
's Dakota Wizards
, Andriuškevičius sustained a serious head injury when he was punched by teammate Awvee Storey
in an attack during practice in Bismarck, North Dakota
. The center suffered a fractured skull, severe concussion, and a two-centimeter hematoma
(bruise) on the left side of his brain
. Doctors initially thought it would be months before he could speak, but he was able to within a month, and stated his desire to play basketball within a year. Storey was suspended indefinitely. Days later he had his contract terminated and he was dismissed from the league. Andriuškevičius did not wish to pursue charges.
On March 12, 2007, Chicago Bulls doctors cleared Andriuškevičius to participate in contact practices. The Chicago Tribune
said it was "a remarkable recovery from the serious brain injury". On April 6, head coach Scott Skiles
considered moving the player to the active roster, as he soon started practicing.
On August 11, 2007 his agent announced that he would play in Joventut Badalona
, and he signed for the team five days later, but his contract with the team was cancelled shortly after.
In September 2011 he signed a one-year contract with PAOK B.C. in Greece
.
he played for the Lithuanian national basketball team
and won a bronze
medal.
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
) is a Lithuania
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
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 currently playing for PAOK Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
in Greek League.
Pro career
Andriuškevičius was drafted by the Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
with the 44th pick in 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...
. He was then 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...
before being traded to the Bulls.
At 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) and 109 kg (240 lb), he is an intriguing prospect because of his height. He developed through the youth academies at Žalgiris Kaunas
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...
, where he was tabbed as one of the top young players in the game. He played in 15 Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
games for the club during the 2004-05 season and was originally projected as one of the top picks in the draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
, but a disappointing season in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and an apparent lack of improvement sent his draft stock spiraling down.
Andriuškevičius has noted perimeter skill for a player of his size, and has trained with former NBA center Arvydas Sabonis
Arvydas Sabonis
Arvydas Romas Sabonis is a retired Lithuanian professional basketball player and a businessman. He was an eight-time European Player of the Year, winning the Euroscar Award six times, and the Mr...
.
On August 18, 2006, Andriuškevičius was traded by the Cavaliers to 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...
for swingman Eddie Basden
Eddie Basden
Edward Richard Basden is an American professional basketball player who formerly played in the National Basketball Association ....
. On December 21, as a member of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Dakota Wizards
Dakota Wizards
The Dakota Wizards are an American basketball team in the NBA Development League, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Home games are played at the Bismarck Civic Center.-Beginnings in IBA:...
, Andriuškevičius sustained a serious head injury when he was punched by teammate Awvee Storey
Awvee Storey
Awvee Storey is an American professional basketball player. He plays the shooting guard/small forward position.-High school career:...
in an attack during practice in Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
. The center suffered a fractured skull, severe concussion, and a two-centimeter hematoma
Hematoma
A hematoma, or haematoma, is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within the tissue. This distinguishes it from an ecchymosis, which is the spread of blood under the skin in a thin layer, commonly called a bruise...
(bruise) on the left side of his brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
. Doctors initially thought it would be months before he could speak, but he was able to within a month, and stated his desire to play basketball within a year. Storey was suspended indefinitely. Days later he had his contract terminated and he was dismissed from the league. Andriuškevičius did not wish to pursue charges.
On March 12, 2007, Chicago Bulls doctors cleared Andriuškevičius to participate in contact practices. The Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
said it was "a remarkable recovery from the serious brain injury". On April 6, head coach Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles
Scott Allen Skiles is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional basketball player. He also is the former head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. Skiles holds the NBA record for assists in one game, with 30...
considered moving the player to the active roster, as he soon started practicing.
On August 11, 2007 his agent announced that he would play in Joventut Badalona
Joventut Badalona
Club Joventut Badalona, S.A.D. is a Spanish professional basketball club based in Badalona, Catalonia, playing in the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto . Known to their fans as La Penya , it is one of only three teams that have never been relegated from the top division of the Spanish League...
, and he signed for the team five days later, but his contract with the team was cancelled shortly after.
In September 2011 he signed a one-year contract with PAOK B.C. in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Lithuanian national team
At the 2010 FIBA World Championship2010 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...
he played for the Lithuanian national basketball 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....
and won a bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
medal.
Awards and achievements
- 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