Alex Len facts for kids
Len with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020
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| Free agent | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Career history | |
| 2010–2011 | Dnipro |
| 2013–2018 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2018–2020 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2020 | Sacramento Kings |
| 2020–2021 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2021 | Washington Wizards |
| 2021–2025 | Sacramento Kings |
| 2025 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Alex Len (born June 16, 1993) is a professional basketball player from Ukraine. He last played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, Alex played basketball for the Maryland Terrapins college team for two seasons. He also played for a team called Dnipro in Ukraine.
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Early Life and Basketball Start
Alex Len was born in Antratsyt, Ukraine. His mother, Yuliia, was a track athlete. When he was young, Alex enjoyed gymnastics and watching Jackie Chan movies. He was even trained by a famous gymnastics coach, Oleksii Stepanenko.
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 young players. In 2009, he played in the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. In 2010, he played in the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. During the 2010 tournament, he was one of the best players. He was the fourth-best scorer, second-best rebounder, and the best shot blocker. After this tournament, Alex 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 played for the Maryland Terrapins team. In his first year, he averaged 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He had to sit out for ten games at the start of the season. This was because of rules about playing for a professional team in Europe before college.
Alex started his second year strong on November 9, 2012. He played against the Kentucky Wildcats, who were the champions. Alex played very well, scoring 23 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots. He helped his team win against tough opponents. On January 16, 2013, Alex scored 10 points, including a game-winning shot with less than a second left. This helped Maryland upset #14 North Carolina State. On February 16, 2013, Alex also helped Maryland beat the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. He scored 19 points, had 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in that game. That season, he averaged 11.9 points per game.
On April 14, 2013, Alex decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft. Many experts thought he would be one of the top players chosen. On May 3, 2013, Alex had surgery on his left ankle. This meant he could not play in the 2013 NBA Summer League.
Professional Basketball Career
Playing for the Phoenix Suns (2013–2018)
Alex Len was chosen as the fifth overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA draft. He was the highest-selected Ukrainian player ever in the NBA. Because of his ankle surgeries, Alex did not play for the Suns in the 2013 NBA Summer League. He had another surgery on his right ankle on July 12, 2013. He signed with the Suns on August 29, 2013, and was ready to practice by early September.
Alex made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013. He had his first game with 10 rebounds on January 29, 2014.
In July 2014, Alex joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2014 NBA Summer League. He broke his right pinkie finger in the first game. He broke it again on October 7, 2014, before the new season started. He returned to play two weeks later.
On October 31, 2014, Alex recorded his first "double-double." This means he had double-digit points (10) and rebounds (11) in the same game. On November 17, he scored a career-high 19 points. He started his first game on December 15. On February 20, he had 11 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks. On April 2, he had surgery for a broken nose and missed the rest of the season.
In July 2015, Alex played for the Suns in the 2015 NBA Summer League. He averaged 10.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He also trained with other NBA players like Tyson Chandler and Tim Duncan. On December 9, Alex scored a career-high 20 points and had 14 rebounds. On February 4, he had a career-high 18 rebounds. On March 4, he set a new career high with 31 points and 15 rebounds. Two days later, he had 19 points, 16 rebounds, and a career-high 6 assists. Alex played in 78 games for the Suns in the 2015–16 season, which was his most games played in a season. He had 19 double-doubles and averaged 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
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On November 2, Alex helped the Suns get their first win of the 2016–17 season. He scored 18 points in an overtime victory. On November 8, he had 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds. On December 9, he recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds, and a season-high five blocks. On February 10, 2017, he was suspended for one game. This was because he left the bench during a fight in a game.
After the 2016–17 season, Alex became a free agent. On September 25, 2017, he signed a one-year contract to stay with the Suns. On November 17, 2017, Alex had 17 points and 18 rebounds. On November 28, 2017, he tied his career high with 18 rebounds. On December 16, 2017, he had 12 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. On March 2, 2018, he had six blocks in a game.
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 a season-high 17 rebounds. On March 3, 2019, he scored a season-high 28 points and made a career-high five 3-pointers. On April 7, he scored a career-high 33 points, including a career-best six 3-pointers.
Sacramento Kings (2020)
On February 6, 2020, Alex Len 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 being waived by the Raptors on January 19, 2021.
Washington Wizards (2021)
On January 23, 2021, Alex Len signed with the Washington Wizards.
Return to Sacramento (2021–2025)
On August 13, 2021, Alex signed again with the Sacramento Kings. On January 7, 2022, he scored a season-high 18 points and had ten rebounds. On July 8, 2024, Alex re-signed with the Kings.
Los Angeles Lakers (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Alex was traded back to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal. On February 11, 2025, Alex was waived by the Wizards and later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing for His Country
Alex Len has played for Ukraine's national basketball teams. He played for the Under-16 team in 2009. He was the second-best shot blocker in that tournament. He also played for the Under-18 team in 2010. His good performance in these tournaments helped him get noticed by colleges like the University of Maryland.
In August 2018, Alex was chosen to play for the senior Ukraine national basketball team for the first time. He played in the qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Personal Life
In December 2015, Alex and his mother, Yuliia, started the Len-d A Hand Foundation. This charity helps young people in Phoenix, Arizona and nearby areas. Alex is also a strong swimmer. On April 25, 2016, he helped save his friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach.
See also
In Spanish: Alex Len para niños
