Gintaras Einikis

Gintaras Einikis
Personal information
Born (1969-09-30) September 30, 1969 (age 55)
Kretinga, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityLithuanian
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
NBA draft1991: undrafted
Playing career1987–2010
PositionPower forward / center
Number14, 41
Coaching career2016–present
Career history
As player:
1987–1995Žalgiris Kaunas
1995–1999Avtodor Saratov
1999–2001CSKA Moscow
2001Śląsk Wrocław
2002Near East
2002–2003Žalgiris Kaunas
2003–2004Prokom Trefl Sopot
2004Unicaja Málaga
2005Lietuvos rytas Vilnius
2005–2006CEZ Basketball Nymburk
2009–2010Naglis-Adakris Palanga
As coach:
2016Avtodor Saratov (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Lithuania
Summer Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney
EuroBasket
Silver medal – second place 1995 Greece

Gintaras Einikis (born September 30, 1969) is a Lithuanian retired professional basketball player and current coach. He stands at 6 ft 10 in (208 cm), and is a former center for the senior Lithuanian national team. Einikis is the only player from the Lithuanian national team to have won all three consecutive bronze medals at the Summer Olympics, in Barcelona, Atlanta, and Sydney.[1]

Professional career

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In 1987, the then 18-year-old Einikis, arrived at Žalgiris, to replace his injured teammate, Arvydas Sabonis. Einikis established himself as a strong and aggressive defender, an excellent center, and a surprisingly accurate three-point shooter. When Sabonis left Žalgiris, Einikis continued his career, as a starter.

In 1995, Einikis joined Avtodor Saratov. After dominating with Avtodor, Einikis then moved to CSKA Moscow. After 2 moderate seasons with CSKA, he moved to Idea-Slask, where he averaged 9 points per game, and 4.4 rebounds per game, in 22 minutes per game of EuroLeague action. After a tumultuous first half of the season, he left Śląsk and signed with Greek side Near East to finish the season.

He then moved back to Zalgiris, where he contributed more to the team. During the last years of his career, his averages fell drastically; however, he still helped Lietuvos Rytas to win the ULEB Cup (EuroCup) championship in 2005. He retired after the 2005–06 season.

In 2009, he returned to playing professional basketball, and played for Naglis-Adakris. After the 2009–10 season, he retired for a second time.

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

EuroLeague

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2001–02 Wrocław 9 7 22.1 .437 .182 .765 4.4 .8 .6 .6 9.0 6.9
2002–03 Žalgiris 14 12 26.0 .530 .444 .750 4.9 .6 .7 .4 13.0 10.9
2004–05 Unicaja 8 1 10.0 .563 .222 .500 1.4 .0 .3 .1 3.1 2.3

Coaching career

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On February 10, 2016, it was announced that Einkis had become an assistant coach for Avtodor Saratov.[2]

Controversies

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In 2008, Einikis participated in altercation with a night club's staff, yelling insults, threatening physical harm and refusing to leave the club.[3] He and his friend were fined with 3,000 Litas.

After the incident, Einikis was spotted leaving the club in his car Volkswagen Touareg. Because he had lost his license a year ago after his involvement in a hit and run accident, he was fined with an additional 2,500 Litas.[4] During the accident, it was speculated that he was on cocaine. The police discovered cocaine powder in his car.[5]

In 2011, Einikis, heavily intoxicated, with 5.11 per mil blood-alcohol concentration, went to his friend's house and threatened to kill her by setting her house on fire. He was later arrested and charged with threats of arson and assault.[6]

He married his longtime friend Jurgita in July 2012. Later that month, however, he, while under the influence of alcohol, physically assaulted his wife.[7]

Awards and achievements

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Pro clubs

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Lithuanian senior national team

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References

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  1. ^ "Olympic Athletes - Biographies, Medals & More".
  2. ^ "Dar viena proga atsitiesti: Gintaras Einikis priėmė Saratovo "Avtodor" pasiūlymą" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt. February 10, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  3. ^ "Visos naujienos | KaunoDiena.lt".
  4. ^ "G. Einikis nubaustas už vairavimą neturint teisių | Krepsinis.net". Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
  5. ^ "Avarijos metu G.Einikis buvo apsvaigęs nuo kokaino / Kriminalai / Lrytas.lt". www.lrytas.lt. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Girtas G.Einikis grasino sudeginti draugę".
  7. ^ "Nepraėjus nė mėnesiui po vedybų G.Einikio žmona susigrąžino mergautinę pavardę".
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