Marcin Janusz Gortat is a Polish former professional basketball player, and current player development and assistant coach at the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association.
21 Facts About Marcin Gortat
2.
Marcin Gortat was drafted in the second round by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers.
3.
Marcin Gortat's father, Janusz Gortat, was a Polish boxer and a bronze medalist in the light heavyweight class during the Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976 Olympics, and his mother, Alicja Gortat, was a representative of the Poland national team in volleyball.
4.
Marcin Gortat has an older brother, Robert, who is a boxer.
5.
Marcin Gortat is a big Motorcycle Speedway supporter, often seen supporting Polish club Motor Lublin.
6.
Marcin Gortat is seen regularly at Speedway Grand Prix events, supporting his good friend, 2x World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik.
7.
Marcin Gortat identifies as a Roman Catholic and has said that his faith gives him hope and inspires him.
8.
Marcin Gortat was recalled from the D-League on December 2, and he made his debut for the Magic on March 1,2008, against the New York Knicks.
9.
That Magic playoff run continued all the way to the NBA Finals, making Marcin Gortat the first Polish-born player to ever appear in the championship series.
10.
On July 8,2009, Marcin Gortat, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet for five years and $34 million with the Dallas Mavericks.
11.
However, Orlando prevented Marcin Gortat from going to Dallas by matching the offer sheet on July 13,2009.
12.
Marcin Gortat was said to be "very disappointed" to stay with the Magic, since continuing as backup to Dwight Howard would mean limited playing time, whereas playing for Dallas would likely have meant being the starting center.
13.
On December 18,2010, Marcin Gortat was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 first-round draft pick, and $3 million, in exchange for Jason Richardson, Earl Clark, and then-former Magic player and former teammate Hedo Turkoglu.
14.
Marcin Gortat was the only Suns player to start and play every game of the regular season.
15.
Marcin Gortat joined the likes of former Magic teammate Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and DeMarcus Cousins as the only centers to average a double-double that season.
16.
On October 25,2013, Marcin Gortat was traded, along with Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee, and Kendall Marshall, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Emeka Okafor and a 2014 protected first-round draft pick.
17.
Marcin Gortat became the first Wizards player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game since Moses Malone in 1987.
18.
On July 10,2014, Marcin Gortat re-signed with the Wizards to a reported five-year, $60 million contract.
19.
On June 26,2018, Marcin Gortat was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Austin Rivers.
20.
On February 16,2020, Marcin Gortat officially announced his retirement from basketball.
21.
Thanks to the Wizards, Marcin Gortat can bring Polish Heritage Night back to the NBA for the first time since retiring.