Martynas Andriuškevičius

Martynas Andriuškevičius

Position	Center
Height	7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Weight	240 lb (110 kg)
League	Greek League Greek Cup Euroleague
Team	PAOK B.C.
Born	March 12, 1986 (1986-03-12) Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Lithuanian
Draft	2nd round, 44th overall, 2005 Orlando Magic
Pro career	2003–present
Career history	Žalgiris Kaunas (2004–05) Cleveland Cavaliers (2005–06) Chicago Bulls (2006–07) Meridiano Alicante (2007-11) PAOK B.C. (2011-present)

Martynas Andriuškevičius (pronounced [mɐrˈtiːnɐs ɐndrʲʊʃˈkæːvɪtʃʲʊs]; born March 12, 1986, in Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He is currently playing for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greek League.

Pro career

Andriuškevičius was drafted by the Orlando Magic 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.

Lithuanian national team

Medal record
Competitor for Lithuania
World Championships
Bronze	Turkey 2010	National team

At the 2010 FIBA World Championship he played for the Lithuanian national basketball team and won a bronze medal.

Awards and achievements

• 2010 FIBA World Championship, Turkey - Bronze medalist

External links

• Martynas Andriuškevičius at NBA.com
• Martynas Andriuskevicius at Basketball-Reference.com
• Profile at official 2005 NBA Draft site
• Euroleague profile
• ACB.com Profile