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Alex Len

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In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Yuriyovich and the family name is Len.
Alex Len
Len with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020
No. 25 – Sacramento Kings
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1993-06-16) June 16, 1993 (age 31)
Antratsyt, Ukraine
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolDnipro Higher College
(Dnipro, Ukraine)
CollegeMaryland (2011–2013)
NBA draft2013: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career2010–2011; 2013–present
Career history
2010–2011Dnipro
2013–2018Phoenix Suns
2018–2020Atlanta Hawks
2020Sacramento Kings
2020–2021Toronto Raptors
2021Washington Wizards
2021–presentSacramento Kings
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Oleksii Yuriyovych Len (Ukrainian: Олексій Юрійович Лень; born June 16, 1993), commonly known as Alex Len (Ukrainian: Алекс Лень), is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before being drafted, he played two seasons for the Maryland Terrapins (then in the Atlantic Coast Conference) as well as a season with Dnipro.

Early life

Len was born in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine to a mother named Yuliia, who ran track early in her life. Growing up, Len participated in gymnastics and liked watching Jackie Chan films.[1][2][3] As a young gymnast, Len was trained by Oleksii Stepanenko, who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi.[4] He started playing basketball at the age of 13 and later attended Dnipro Higher College in Dnipro, Ukraine.[5] He played for the Ukraine national team at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where during the 2010 tournament, he was the fourth-best overall scorer, second-best rebounder, and the best shot blocker. Following the tournament, Len joined BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague for the 2010–11 season.

College career

Len in 2012

Len was recruited by then Maryland assistant basketball coach, Scott Spinelli. He was the recipient of an athletic scholarship from the University of Maryland coach Gary Williams, but Williams resigned after the 2010–11 season. Mark Turgeon was hired to take his place. While Williams began recruiting Len, it was Turgeon and Spinelli who eventually lured him to Maryland.[6] Len underachieved in his freshman year, averaging 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, but showed lottery pick potential after serving a ten game suspension at the beginning of the year due to NCAA amateurism issues resulting from his play with BC Dnipro, a European club team from his home nation.

Len opened his sophomore season on November 9, 2012, against the reigning champion Kentucky Wildcats, led by ESPN's #1 player of the 2012 recruiting class, Nerlens Noel. The game was played at the brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Len overpowered Noel throughout the entire game, scoring 23 points with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, while holding Noel to just four points, although Kentucky won the game 72–69. Following the game, there was talk[by whom?] that Len could potentially be a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. On January 16, 2013, Len scored 10 points, including a game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds in the game, upsetting #14 North Carolina State with a 52–50 win. On February 16, 2013, Len played a role in Maryland's 83–81 victory over the top ranked Duke Blue Devils. Len put up 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, while holding Duke star senior Mason Plumlee to four points.[7] He went on to average 11.9 points per game in 38 total games that season.

On April 14, 2013, Len decided to declare for the 2013 NBA draft. He was projected to land in the lottery, with some experts projecting Len as the #1 overall pick.[8][9] On May 3, 2013, Len ended up getting surgery on his left ankle that resulted in him being out for several months, ultimately causing him to sit out from the 2013 NBA Summer League.[10]

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2013–2018)

2013–14 season

Len was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA draft. Len was the second international-born player to be selected in that draft, behind the first overall selection in Canadian-born Anthony Bennett, as well as the highest-selected Ukrainian-born player to be drafted in the NBA, which was a record previously held by Vitalii Potapenko in 1996. He was also the first Suns player to be taken in the top 5 of an NBA draft since Armen Gilliam in 1987. Due to his ankle surgeries, Len did not join the Suns for the 2013 NBA Summer League. On July 12, 2013, Len had surgery on his right ankle due to a stress fracture.[11] He signed with the Suns on August 29, 2013,[12] and was cleared to practice with them by early September.[13]

Len made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013, at home in a close victory against the Utah Jazz. He sat out seven games before returning on November 19 against the Sacramento Kings. However, a day later, Len re-injured his left knee and missed over six weeks before returning on January 7 against the Chicago Bulls. Len had his first 10-rebound game in a 126–117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 29, 2014.[14]

2014–15 season

In July 2014, Len joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2014 NBA Summer League. In the Suns' first game of the Summer League, Len recorded 6 points and 6 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors before fracturing his right pinkie finger and was subsequently ruled out until training camp.[15] On October 7, 2014, a day before the Suns' first pre-season game of 2014 against Brazilian club Flamengo, Len fractured the same pinkie finger again, forcing him to the sidelines once more.[16] He returned to action two weeks later in the Suns' pre-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22.[17]

On October 31, 2014, Len recorded his first career double-double with career-highs in points and rebounds with 10 and 11, respectively, in the Suns' 94–89 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[18] On November 17, he scored a then career-high 19 points in a 118–114 win over the Boston Celtics.[19] Len started his first game on December 15 against the Milwaukee Bucks and continued to start for the Suns until February 5 when injured his ankle after a failed alley-oop attempt in the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers.[20] After missing three games due to the injury, he returned to action on February 20 to record 11 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six blocks in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[21] On April 2, he underwent successful surgery to repair his broken nose, an injury he suffered against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 30.[22] He subsequently missed the final seven games of the season.[23]

2015–16 season

In July 2015, Len re-joined the Suns for the 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where in five games, he averaged 10.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.[24] Following the conclusion of the Summer League, Len began training with his new teammate Tyson Chandler, as well as rival center and one of Len's personal favorite players, Tim Duncan, throughout the off-season.[25] On December 9, Len recorded a then career-high 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 107–104 win over the Orlando Magic.[26] On January 11, he was ruled out for three games with a left hand sprain.[27] On February 4, he recorded 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in a 111–105 loss to the Houston Rockets.[28] On February 21, he recorded a then career-high 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 118–111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.[29] He went on to set a new career high on March 4, recording 31 points along with 15 rebounds in a 102–84 win over the Orlando Magic.[30] Two days later, Len recorded 19 points, 16 rebounds and a career-high 6 assists in a 109–100 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[31] On March 17, he recorded his 10th straight game with 10+ rebounds.[32] On April 7, he recorded a career-high seven assists in a 124–115 win over the Houston Rockets.[33] Len appeared in 78 games for the Suns in 2015–16, starting in 46 of them, both career highs. He recorded 19 double-doubles and finished with averages of 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, all career highs.[32]

2016–17 season

Len preparing to shoot a free throw in January 2017

After going 0–4 to start the season, Len helped the Suns record their first win on November 2 with 18 points in a 118–115 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.[34] On November 8, he recorded 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in a 107–100 win over the Detroit Pistons.[35] On December 9, he recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high five blocks off the bench in a 119–115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[36] On February 10, 2017, he was suspended one game without pay for leaving the bench area and entering the playing court during an altercation in the Suns' 110–91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies two days earlier.[37]

2017–18 season

Following the 2016–17 season, Len became a restricted free agent. On September 25, 2017, after spending the off-season looking to get a better deal,[38] Len signed a one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer to return to the Suns.[39][40] On November 17, 2017, Len had 17 points and 18 rebounds in a 122–113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[41] On November 28, 2017, he tied a career high with 18 rebounds in a 104–99 win over the Chicago Bulls.[42] On December 16, 2017, he had 12 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 108–106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[43] On March 2, 2018, he had six blocks in a 124–116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[44]

Atlanta Hawks (2018–2020)

On August 3, 2018, Len signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks.[45][46] On December 23, 2018, he had 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–95 win over the Detroit Pistons.[47] On March 3, 2019, he scored a then season-high 28 points with a career-high five 3-pointers in a 123–118 win over the Chicago Bulls.[48] On April 7, he scored a career-high 33 points, including a career-best six 3-pointers, in a 115–107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[49]

Sacramento Kings (2020)

On February 6, 2020, Len and Jabari Parker were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dewayne Dedmon and two second round picks.[50][51]

Toronto Raptors (2020–2021)

On November 29, 2020, Len signed with the Toronto Raptors.[52] He was waived by the Raptors on January 19, 2021, after 13 regular season games.[53][54]

Washington Wizards (2021)

On January 23, 2021, Len signed with the Washington Wizards.[55]

Return to Sacramento (2021–present)

On August 13, 2021, Len signed with the Sacramento Kings.[56] On January 7, 2022, he recorded a season-high 18 points, alongside ten rebounds and two steals, in a 111–121 loss to the Denver Nuggets.[57]

National team career

Len played for Ukraine's Under-16 national team during the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. Despite his performance throughout the tournament, which included a 20-point outing against Israel and averaging 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and being the second-best shot blocker in the tournament with 2.6 blocks per game,[58] the Under-16 national team was relegated under the Division B section after the tournament for over a year's time. He played with his nation's Under-18 national team for the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. Unlike in the Under-16 Tournament he participated in back in 2009, Len helped the Under-18 team stay in the Division A tournaments for at least another year. His performance throughout the tournament led to the University of Maryland, along with a few other universities like Virginia Tech, gaining enough interest in him to get him on their team.[6]

In August 2018, Len was named to play for the Ukraine national basketball team for the first time at the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in September.[59]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Phoenix 42 3 8.6 .423 — .645 2.4 .1 .1 .4 2.0
2014–15 Phoenix 69 44 22.0 .507 .333 .702 6.6 .5 .5 1.5 6.3
2015–16 Phoenix 78 46 23.3 .423 .143 .728 7.6 1.2 .5 .8 9.0
2016–17 Phoenix 77 34 20.2 .497 .250 .721 6.6 .6 .5 1.3 8.0
2017–18 Phoenix 69 13 20.2 .566 .333 .684 7.5 1.2 .4 .9 8.5
2018–19 Atlanta 77 31 20.1 .494 .363 .648 5.5 1.1 .4 .9 11.1
2019–20 Atlanta 40 9 18.6 .546 .250 .630 5.8 1.1 .5 .8 8.7
Sacramento 15 3 15.0 .593 .667 .708 6.1 .5 .2 1.0 5.9
2020–21 Toronto 7 2 10.9 .500 .500 .500 1.6 .4 .1 .9 2.3
Washington 57 40 15.8 .619 .263 .636 4.4 .8 .3 1.0 7.1
2021–22 Sacramento 39 10 15.9 .534 .286 .651 4.1 1.2 .3 .6 6.0
2022–23 Sacramento 26 2 6.2 .533 .000 .688 2.3 .5 .2 .4 1.7
Career 596 237 18.3 .507 .327 .683 5.7 .8 .4 .9 7.4

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 2 2 12.4 .400 – .500 5.5 1.0 .5 .5 4.5
Career 2 2 12.4 .400 – .500 5.5 1.0 .5 .5 4.5

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 5 3 8.4 .571 – .571 2.2 .4 .2 .0 4.0
2023 Sacramento 7 0 7.8 .778 – .833 2.9 .1 .0 .4 2.7
Career 12 3 8.0 .652 – .692 2.6 .3 .1 .3 3.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Maryland 22 11 21.2 .553 .000 .587 5.4 .6 .2 2.1 6.0
2012–13 Maryland 38 37 26.4 .534 .125 .686 7.8 1.0 .2 2.1 11.9
Career 60 48 24.5 .538 .111 .663 7.0 .8 .2 2.1 9.7

Personal life

In December 2015, Len and his mother, Yuliia, created the Len-d A Hand Foundation, a charity that helps reach out to the youth in Phoenix, Arizona and other surrounding areas.[60][61] A strong swimmer, on April 25, 2016 he helped save his friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic.[62]

References

  1. ^ "Maryland basketball player Alex Len gives first media interviews".
  2. ^ "Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Len - Phoenix Suns". NBA.com.
  3. ^ "Suns One On One: Alex Len". www.nba.com.
  4. ^ Мама нашего новичка НБА Лэня: о кактусах, меде и нюансах жизни в баскетбольной Америке (фото) (in Russian)
  5. ^ "Alex Len - NBADraft.net". www.nbadraft.net.
  6. ^ "Alex Len Bio". Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "Terps' Alex Len to enter NBA draft". BaltimoreNewsJournal.com. April 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  8. ^ Prewitt, Alex (June 27, 2013). "Alex Len's final NBA mock draft roundup: No. 1 overall still a possibility?". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ "Likely lottery pick Len out after ankle surgery". May 3, 2013.
  10. ^ "Alex Len undergoes right ankle surgery, Suns announce". July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013.
  11. ^ "FIRST ROUND PICK ALEX LEN SIGNS WITH SUNS - THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE PHOENIX SUNS". www.nba.com.
  12. ^ "Suns rookie Alex Len says he is cleared to practice". September 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "Alex Len 2013-14 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com.
  14. ^ "Suns' Len (finger) out of summer league". July 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "Len Sidelined With Fractured Finger - Phoenix Suns". NBA.com.
  16. ^ "Alex Len makes one big play in return to NBA court". Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  17. ^ "Spurs at Suns". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  18. ^ "Suns at Celtics". NBA.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  19. ^ "Suns at Trail Blazers". NBA.com.
  20. ^ "Suns at Timberwolves". NBA.com.
  21. ^ "Alex Len Undergoes Surgery to Repair Broken Nose - Phoenix Suns". NBA.com.
  22. ^ "Alex Len 2014-15 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com.
  23. ^ "2015 Summer League Player Profile – Alex Len". NBA.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  24. ^ "Suns' Alex Len helped by Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler".
  25. ^ "Magic vs Suns". NBA.com.
  26. ^ "Suns adjust for Pacers without Brandon Knight, Alex Len, Ronnie Price".
  27. ^ "Rockets vs Suns". NBA.com.
  28. ^ "Spurs vs Suns". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  29. ^ "Suns vs Magic". NBA.com.
  30. ^ "Suns vs Grizzlies". NBA.com.
  31. ^ a b "Alex Len 2015-16 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com.
  32. ^ Stats, Phoenix Suns. "Career-highs for @Suns tonight: P.J. Tucker with 24 points (prev. 23, 3/14/16) and @alexlen with 7 assists (prev. 6, 3/6/16) #SunsAtRockets".
  33. ^ "Bledsoe's 3 sinks Blazers in OT, 118-115". ESPN.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  34. ^ "Bledsoe, Dudley lead Suns past Pistons 105-99 [sic]". ESPN.com. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  35. ^ "Eric Bledsoe scores 30, Suns hold off Lakers 119-115". ESPN.com. December 9, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  36. ^ "Suns' Len suspended one game for leaving bench during altercation". NBA.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  37. ^ Sidery, Evan (September 21, 2017). "Report: Alex Len to sign qualifying offer before training camp". brightsideofthesun.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  38. ^ "Phoenix Suns Sign Alex Len". NBA.com. September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  39. ^ Charania, Shams (September 25, 2017). "Sources: Alex Len signs qualifying offer with Phoenix Suns". Yahoo.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  40. ^ "Devin Booker's 33 points power Suns past Lakers, 122-113". ESPN.com. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  41. ^ "Booker scores 33 as Suns top Bulls 104-99". ESPN.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  42. ^ "Canaan helps Suns rally to beat T-Wolves 108-106". ESPN.com. December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  43. ^ "Thunder vs. Suns – Box Score". ESPN.com. March 2, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  44. ^ "Atlanta Hawks Sign Alex Len". NBA.com. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  45. ^ Marcovitch, Max E. (August 3, 2018). "Excited for new opportunity, Len signs $8.5 million deal to join Hawks". AJC.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  46. ^ "Alex Len, Vince Carter lift Hawks over Pistons 98-95". ESPN.com. December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  47. ^ "Len scores 28, Hawks hold on to beat Bulls 123-118". ESPN.com. March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  48. ^ "Giannis-led Bucks win 60th for first time since '81". ESPN.com. April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  49. ^ "Kings Acquire Alex Len and Jabari Parker". NBA.com. February 6, 2020.
  50. ^ "NBA trade grades: Kings send DeWayne Dedmon to Hawks for Jabari Parker and Alex Len, per reports". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  51. ^ "Raptors Sign Len". NBA.com. November 29, 2020.
  52. ^ @Raptors (January 19, 2021). "Official: We've waived centre Alex Len" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ^ "Raptors waive veteran centre Len". TSN.ca. January 19, 2021.
  54. ^ "Wizards sign Len and Bell". NBA.com. January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  55. ^ "Kings Sign Alex Len". NBA.com. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  56. ^ "NIKOLA JOKIC SCORES 33 POINTS, NUGGETS BEAT KINGS, 121-111". NBA.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  57. ^ "Oleksii Len - U16 European Championship Men (2009) - FIBA Europe". www.fibaeurope.com.
  58. ^ "Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk will be available for Ukraine at next FIBA WC qualifier window". Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  59. ^ "About Us – LenD A Hand Foundation". Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  60. ^ "Alex Len-ds a Hand in Home Country - Phoenix Suns". NBA.com.
  61. ^ "Phoenix Suns center Alex Len saves friend from drowning in Dominican Republic". The Arizona Republic.
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