Mindaugas Katelynas
Encyclopedia
Mindaugas Katelynas is a professional basketball player, currently playing for Lithuania
n team BC Lietuvos Rytas
.
, which participated in NJCAA tournaments. Two years later, he moved to Tennessee-Chattanooga
of NCAA's Division I. While at Chattanooga, Katelynas won the NCAA dunk contest in 2005. After two impressive seasons, Katelynas participated in the 2005 NBA Draft
camp, but did not go on to the actual draft. He tried his luck again in the NBA by participating in Phoenix Suns
summer camp, but he did not receive much acclaim. After such setbacks, Katelynas left for Europe.
He arrived to NGC Cantu
for the 2005-06 season. However, he suffered an arm injury during practice and was waived shortly afterwards. He signed a one-year contract with LegADue
's A. S. Monferrato Casale. Katelynas averaged his personal best - 12.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.4 spg while shooting 56% from the field. During the summer of 2007, he participated in Golden State Warriors
summer camp. He signed a one-year contract with Armani Jeans Milano in 2007, and extended it to two years in 2008. He was lent to Meridiano Alicante
for the 2009-10 season. In August 2010, he signed a two-year contract with Cajasol Sevilla. In August 2011 he moved back to his homeland, signing a three-year deal with BC Lietuvos Rytas
.
for Eurobasket 2009
, but did not make the final roster. He was a candidate for 2010 FIBA World Championship
, but was forced to leave the training camp after suffering a tarsal injury.
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 team BC 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...
.
Playing career
Katelynas grew up with Alytus youth basketball team. In 2001, he was offered at scholarship at College of Eastern UtahUSU-College of Eastern Utah
Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah is a public regional college within the Utah State University system. The USU Eastern main campus is located in Price, Utah and a satellite location known as the San Juan Campus is located in Blanding, Utah.USU Eastern, formerly known as College of...
, which participated in NJCAA tournaments. Two years later, he moved to Tennessee-Chattanooga
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The University, often referred to as UTC or simply "Chattanooga" , is one of three universities and two other affiliated institutions in the University of Tennessee System; the others being in...
of NCAA's Division I. While at Chattanooga, Katelynas won the NCAA dunk contest in 2005. After two impressive seasons, Katelynas participated 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...
camp, but did not go on to the actual draft. He tried his luck again in the NBA by participating in Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
summer camp, but he did not receive much acclaim. After such setbacks, Katelynas left for Europe.
He arrived to NGC Cantu
Pallacanestro Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù is an Italian League professional basketball club that is based in Cantù. For sponsorship reasons, it is also known as Bennet Cantù, after Bennet, an Italian supermarket chain. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below...
for the 2005-06 season. However, he suffered an arm injury during practice and was waived shortly afterwards. He signed a one-year contract with LegADue
LegADue
Legadue or Lega2 is the second-highest division of professional club basketball in Italy since 2001-2002 season...
's A. S. Monferrato Casale. Katelynas averaged his personal best - 12.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.4 spg while shooting 56% from the field. During the summer of 2007, he participated in Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
summer camp. He signed a one-year contract with Armani Jeans Milano in 2007, and extended it to two years in 2008. He was lent to Meridiano Alicante
CB Lucentum Alicante
Club Baloncesto Lucentum Alicante is a professional basketball team based in Alicante, Valencian Community. Lucentum Alicante is member of the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto .-Sponsorship naming:...
for the 2009-10 season. In August 2010, he signed a two-year contract with Cajasol Sevilla. In August 2011 he moved back to his homeland, signing a three-year deal with BC 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...
.
National team
Katelynas was a candidate for the Lithuania national basketball teamLithuania 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....
for 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...
, but did not make the final roster. He was a candidate for 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...
, but was forced to leave the training camp after suffering a tarsal injury.