Marcin Gortat facts for kids
Gortat at the Washington Wizards Open Practice in 2022
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| Washington Wizards | |
|---|---|
| Player development and assistant coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 17, 1984 Łódź, Poland |
| Nationality | Polish, American (since 2021) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 57th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 2002–2020 |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2002–2003 | ŁKS Łódź |
| 2003–2007 | RheinEnergie Cologne |
| 2007–2010 | Orlando Magic |
| 2007–2008 | →Anaheim Arsenal |
| 2010–2013 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2013–2018 | Washington Wizards |
| 2018–2019 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| As coach: | |
| 2022–present | Washington Wizards (player development and assistant coach) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 7,951 (9.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,407 (7.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 915 (1.1 apg) |
Marcin Janusz Gortat (born February 17, 1984) is a Polish former professional basketball player. He was also known as "The Polish Hammer" during his playing days. Today, he works as a player development and assistant coach for the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Marcin is very tall, standing at 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm). He played as a center, which is usually the tallest player on a basketball team. His father, Janusz Gortat, was a famous boxer. Marcin was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA draft. He played for several teams, including the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He stopped playing professional basketball in 2020.
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Marcin Gortat's Early Life and Sports Beginnings
When Marcin Gortat was a kid, he enjoyed playing soccer and competing in track and field. He was especially good at the high jump. Sports ran in his family! His father, Janusz Gortat, won bronze medals in boxing at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. His mother, Alicja Gortat, played for the Polish national volleyball team. Marcin also has an older brother, Robert Gortat, who is a boxer.
Marcin grew up in Łódź, Poland. He speaks Polish, English, German, and Serbian. He is also a big fan of Motorcycle Speedway, a type of motorcycle racing. He often supports the Polish club Motor Lublin and his friend, four-time World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik.
Marcin started his basketball career with ŁKS Łódź in Poland. Then, he played for three seasons with RheinEnergie Cologne in Germany. With this team, he won the German championship in 2006 and the national cup three times. He also played in the 2006–07 Euroleague season, which was a big step for his team. Even though he was drafted by the NBA in 2005, Marcin decided to keep playing in Germany until 2007.
Marcin Gortat's NBA Journey
Playing for the Orlando Magic (2007–2010)
Marcin Gortat joined the Orlando Magic on August 2, 2007. At first, he spent some time playing in the NBA Development League for the Anaheim Arsenal. He made his first NBA appearance for the Magic on March 1, 2008.
Towards the end of the 2007–08 NBA season, Marcin got more playing time. In one game, he scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. In December 2008, he started a game because Dwight Howard was injured. Marcin scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds. He even started his first playoff game in April 2009, helping the Magic win. This made him the first Polish-born player to reach the NBA Finals.
In 2009, Marcin had a chance to join the Dallas Mavericks. He signed an offer for five years and $34 million. However, the Orlando Magic decided to keep him by matching the offer. Marcin was disappointed because he wanted more playing time as a starting player.
Time with the Phoenix Suns (2010–2013)
On December 18, 2010, Marcin was traded to the Phoenix Suns. He joined the team along with Vince Carter and Mickaël Piétrus. In Phoenix, he wore jersey number 4 instead of his usual 13, because Steve Nash already had number 13.
With the Suns, Marcin's playing time and statistics grew. He started as a backup but soon became the starting center. During his time in Phoenix, he continued to be known as "The Polish Hammer."
In the 2011–12 NBA season, Marcin played and started every game. He averaged 15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He was one of only a few centers in the league to average a "double-double" (double digits in two categories) that season. After the season, he played for the Polish national basketball team. In one game, he scored 27 points and had 21 rebounds, helping Poland qualify for the Eurobasket 2013 tournament.
In November 2012, Marcin had a great game against the Charlotte Bobcats. He scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked a career-high 7 shots. Later that season, he had a knee injury and missed the rest of the games.
Playing for the Washington Wizards (2013–2018)
On October 25, 2013, Marcin Gortat was traded to the Washington Wizards. He quickly became an important player for the team.
On February 27, 2014, Marcin scored a career-high 31 points and had 12 rebounds in a long game against the Toronto Raptors. In the playoffs that year, he scored 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a game against the Indiana Pacers. This helped the Wizards avoid being eliminated. He was the first Wizards player since 1987 to have at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game.
In July 2014, Marcin signed a new five-year contract with the Wizards for $60 million. In December 2015, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time. In February 2016, he scored 18 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Short Time with the Los Angeles Clippers (2018–2019)
On June 26, 2018, Marcin was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. In January 2019, he had 18 points and 13 rebounds in a win against the Suns. He was released by the Clippers in February 2019.
On February 16, 2020, Marcin Gortat officially announced that he was retiring from playing basketball.
Returning to the Washington Wizards as a Coach
In October 2022, Marcin Gortat joined the Wizards again, this time as a temporary assistant coach.
Thanks to the Wizards, Marcin was able to bring back the Polish Heritage Night (Polska Noc w NBA) to the NBA. This special event celebrates Polish culture. The 9th edition of this event happened on March 24, 2023, when the Washington Wizards played against the San Antonio Spurs, who had another Polish player, Jeremy Sochan, on their team.
Images for kids
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Marcin Gortat at the Washington Wizards Open Practice in 2022
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Gortat battling for a rebound during his time with the Suns
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Gortat playing for the Wizards in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Marcin Gortat para niños
