Gintaras Einikis facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | September 30, 1969 Kretinga, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union |
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| Nationality | Lithuanian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1991 / Undrafted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1987–2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2016–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1995 | Žalgiris Kaunas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1999 | Avtodor Saratov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | CSKA Moscow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Śląsk Wrocław | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Near East | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Žalgiris Kaunas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Prokom Trefl Sopot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Unicaja Málaga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Lietuvos rytas Vilnius | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | CEZ Basketball Nymburk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Naglis-Adakris Palanga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Avtodor Saratov (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As player:
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Medals
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Gintaras Einikis (born September 30, 1969) is a retired professional basketball player from Lithuania. He also became a coach. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) tall, he played as a center or power forward. Einikis is famous for being the only player on the Lithuanian national team to win three bronze medals in a row at the Summer Olympic Games. He won these medals in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000).
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting Out at Žalgiris
Gintaras Einikis started his basketball journey in 1987. At just 18 years old, he joined the famous team Žalgiris Kaunas. He stepped in to help when his teammate, Arvydas Sabonis, was injured. Einikis quickly became known as a strong player. He was a great defender and a skilled center. Surprisingly, he was also very good at shooting three-pointers. When Sabonis left the team, Einikis became a regular starter.
Playing for Teams Across Europe
In 1995, Einikis moved to Russia to play for Avtodor Saratov. After playing well there, he joined another big Russian team, CSKA Moscow. Later, he played for Idea-Slask in Poland. During his time there, he averaged about 9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague. After a short time, he moved to the Greek team Near East to finish that season.
He then returned to his old team, Žalgiris, where he played an important role. Towards the end of his career, his scoring numbers went down. However, he still helped Lietuvos Rytas win the ULEB Cup (now called EuroCup) championship in 2005. He first retired from playing after the 2005–06 season.
A Brief Return to the Court
In 2009, Gintaras Einikis decided to play professional basketball again. He joined the team Naglis-Adakris. After playing for one more season, he retired for the second time in 2010.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Einikis started a new path as a coach. On February 10, 2016, it was announced that he became an assistant coach. He joined his former team, Avtodor Saratov, in this new role.
Awards and Achievements
Club Team Success
- 6× Lithuanian Champion: (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003)
- Lithuanian SSR Champion: (1991)
- Lithuanian Champion: (1992, 1993)
- Lithuanian League (LKL) Champion: (1994, 1995, 2003)
- 2× Lithuanian League MVP: (1994, 1995)
- 2× Lithuanian League Finals MVP: (1994, 1995)
- FIBA EuroStar: (1997)
- Russian League Champion: (2000)
- Polish League Champion: (2004)
- ULEB Cup (EuroCup) Champion: (2005)
- FIBA EuroCup All-Star (FIBA EuroChallenge All-Star): (2006)
- Czech League Champion: (2006)
Lithuanian National Team Medals
- 1992 Summer Olympics:
Bronze - EuroBasket 1995:
Silver
- 1996 Summer Olympics: Bronze
- 2000 Summer Olympics: Bronze
See also
In Spanish: Gintaras Einikis para niños
