Alex Len facts for kids
Len with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020
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| No. 25 – Sacramento Kings | |
|---|---|
| Center | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | June 16, 1993 Antratsyt, Ukraine |
| High school | Dnipro Higher College (Dnipro, Ukraine) |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Maryland (2011–2013) |
| NBA Draft | 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 2010–2011; 2013–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2010–2011 | Dnipro |
| 2013–2018 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2018–2020 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2020 | Sacramento Kings |
| 2020–2021 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2021 | Washington Wizards |
| 2021–present | Sacramento Kings |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Oleksii Yuriyovych Len (born June 16, 1993), known as Alex Len, is a professional basketball player from Ukraine. He plays as a center for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played for the Maryland Terrapins college team. He also played one season with BC Dnipro in Ukraine.
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Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Alex Len was born in Antratsyt, Ukraine. His mother, Yuliia, used to run track. When he was younger, Alex enjoyed gymnastics and watching Jackie Chan movies. He was even trained by a coach who had worked with an Olympic gold medalist.
Alex started playing basketball when he was 13 years old. He later went to Dnipro Higher College in Dnipro, Ukraine. He played for Ukraine's national basketball teams for younger players. In the 2010 tournament for players under 18, he was one of the best scorers, rebounders, and the top shot blocker. After this, he joined BC Dnipro for the 2010–11 season.
College Basketball Career
Alex Len received a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Maryland. He had to sit out the first ten games of his freshman year. This was because of rules about playing professionally before college.
In his second year, on November 9, 2012, Alex played against the Kentucky Wildcats. He scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots. He played very well against Kentucky's top player, Nerlens Noel. This game made many people think Alex could be a top pick in the NBA draft.
Later that season, on January 16, 2013, Alex scored 10 points, including a shot that won the game with less than a second left. This helped Maryland beat North Carolina State 52–50. On February 16, 2013, he also helped Maryland win against the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. He scored 19 points, had 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in that game. He averaged almost 12 points per game that season.
On April 14, 2013, Alex decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft. Experts thought he would be picked very early. However, he had surgery on his left ankle in May 2013, which meant he couldn't play for a few months.
Professional Basketball Career
Phoenix Suns (2013–2018)
Alex Len was chosen as the fifth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA draft. This made him the highest-picked Ukrainian player ever in the NBA. Because of his ankle surgeries, he couldn't play in the NBA Summer League. He had another surgery on his right ankle in July 2013. He signed with the Suns in August and started practicing in September.
Alex played his first NBA game on November 1, 2013. He had some injuries early in his career, missing several games. On January 29, 2014, he had his first game with 10 or more rebounds.
In July 2014, Alex joined the Suns for the NBA Summer League again. But he broke his right pinkie finger and had to miss more time. He returned to play later that year.
On October 31, 2014, Alex had his first "double-double" (scoring 10 points and getting 10 rebounds or more). He scored 10 points and had 11 rebounds in a win against the San Antonio Spurs. He later scored a career-high 19 points in a game against the Boston Celtics. In April 2015, he had surgery on his nose and missed the last games of the season.
In the 2015–16 season, Alex played in 78 games, which was a career high for him. He had a great game on December 9, scoring 20 points and getting 14 rebounds. On February 4, he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds. He set a new career high on March 4, scoring 31 points and getting 15 rebounds in a win against the Orlando Magic. He also had a career-high 6 assists two days later. He finished the season with career-best averages in points, rebounds, and assists.
In the 2016–17 season, Alex continued to play well. He had 18 points in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 2. He also had 16 points and 14 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons on November 8.
For the 2017–18 season, Alex signed a one-year contract to stay with the Suns. He had 17 points and 18 rebounds in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 17, 2017. He also set a new career high with 19 rebounds in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 16, 2017.
Atlanta Hawks (2018–2020)
On August 3, 2018, Alex Len signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks. On December 23, 2018, he had 15 points and 17 rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons. He scored a season-high 28 points on March 3, 2019, making five three-pointers. On April 7, he scored a career-high 33 points, including six three-pointers, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Sacramento Kings (2020)
On February 6, 2020, Alex was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Toronto Raptors (2020–2021)
On November 29, 2020, Alex signed with the Toronto Raptors. He played 13 games before the Raptors decided to let him go on January 19, 2021.
Washington Wizards (2021)
On January 23, 2021, Alex signed with the Washington Wizards.
Return to Sacramento (2021–present)
On August 13, 2021, Alex Len signed with the Sacramento Kings again. On January 7, 2022, he scored a season-high 18 points and had ten rebounds. On July 8, 2024, he re-signed with the Kings.
Playing for Ukraine
Alex Len has played for Ukraine's national basketball teams. He played for the Under-16 team in 2009 and the Under-18 team in 2010. His strong play in these tournaments helped him get noticed by colleges in the United States.
In August 2018, Alex was chosen to play for the senior Ukraine national basketball team for the first time. He joined them for the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in September.
Personal Life
In December 2015, Alex and his mother, Yuliia, started a charity called the Len-d A Hand Foundation. This charity helps young people in Phoenix, Arizona, and nearby areas. Alex is also a good swimmer. On April 25, 2016, he helped save a friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic.
See also
In Spanish: Alex Len para niños
