Jake Tsakalidis facts for kids
Tsakalidis with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 June 1979 Rustavi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Georgian / Greek |
| Listed height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
| Listed weight | 290 lb (132 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 1996–2008 |
| Career history | |
| 1996–2000 | AEK Athens |
| 2000–2003 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2003–2007 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2007 | Houston Rockets |
| 2007–2008 | Olympiacos |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 1,497 (4.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,238 (3.9 rpg) |
| Blocks | 223 (0.7 bpg) |
Iakovos "Jake" Tsakalidis (born June 10, 1979) is a former professional basketball player. He was born in Georgia but grew up in Greece.
Jake was a very tall player, standing 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters) tall. He played the center position, which is usually for the tallest players on a team. Centers often score close to the basket and grab rebounds. Jake holds citizenship in both Georgia and Greece.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting in Greece
Jake Tsakalidis began his professional basketball journey in 1996. He was just 17 years old when he joined the Greek League team AEK Athens. During his time with AEK, he achieved some great things.
- He helped his team reach the finals of the Greek Basketball Cup twice, in 1998 and 1999.
- In 2000, he won the FIBA Saporta Cup, which is a big European basketball competition.
- He also won the Greek Cup in 2000.
Jake was known for his strong play near the basket, also called the "painted zone." He worked well with his teammates, Michalis Kakiouzis and Dimos Dikoudis.
Moving to the NBA
In 2000, Jake was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the 2000 NBA draft. He was the 25th player picked overall in the first round. There was a small issue with his contract in Greece, but it was quickly resolved. Jake then started his exciting career in the NBA.
He played for the Suns for a few seasons. On September 30, 2003, Jake was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He played for the Grizzlies until 2007.
Later, on February 13, 2007, he was traded again. This time, he joined the Houston Rockets. His last NBA game was on April 28, 2007, during the playoffs. In his NBA career, Jake averaged 4.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Return to Greece
After playing in the NBA, Jake returned to Greece in 2007. He joined Olympiacos, another top Greek team that plays in the EuroLeague. He played there until 2008.
Playing for His Country
Jake Tsakalidis also played for the senior men's Greek national basketball team. He represented Greece in several important international tournaments:
- At the 1998 FIBA World Championship, his team finished in 4th place.
- He played in the EuroBasket 1999.
- He also participated in the EuroBasket 2003, where his team finished in 5th place.
About His Name
In 2000, Jake Tsakalidis shared something interesting about his personal life. He announced that his real name is Alexey Ledkov. People had previously thought he was of Caucasus Greek descent, but he clarified this.
See also
In Spanish: Jake Tsakalidis para niños
