Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a Lithuanian-born American former professional basketball player who played the center position.
27 Facts About Zydrunas Ilgauskas
2.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas played in the 2007 NBA Finals as a member of the Cavaliers.
3.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas is known for his accurate jump shot, for his rebounding, and for overcoming difficult injury challenges during his career.
4.
In 2012, Zydrunas Ilgauskas joined the Cavaliers' front office, becoming a special advisor to the organization.
5.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas made his professional debut in his birthplace of Kaunas, with local club Atletas in 1993.
6.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.
7.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed a contract extension in 1998 that was worth $70.9 million over 6 years.
8.
However, Zydrunas Ilgauskas played in only 5 games over the next two seasons.
9.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was injured again in December 2000 and was out for the season.
10.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas returned in December 2001 and was mostly used as a backup to Chris Mihm for the rest of the season.
11.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was selected as an All-Star, but the Cavaliers finished with the third-worst record in team history and landed the number one draft pick.
12.
James teamed up with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden to form the core of the team.
13.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas only missed nine games over the next three seasons and was selected as an All-Star again in 2005.
14.
On July 12,2005, Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed a contract extension with the Cavaliers.
15.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas did not play in any games for the Wizards.
16.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was still free to sign with any other team.
17.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas made his return a day later in a win over the New Orleans Hornets.
18.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas saw only 69 minutes of floor time in the entire postseason, resulting in averages of 1.7 PPG and 1.6 RPG, far below his career playoff production.
19.
On July 17,2010, Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed with the Miami Heat.
20.
In September 2011, Zydrunas Ilgauskas announced that he was retiring from basketball, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family as well as citing long-term personal physical fatigue and basic bodily wear-and-tear.
21.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas made his debut with the Lithuania national team in 1994, when the team was qualifying for a spot in the EuroBasket 1995.
22.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas averaged 7.7 points and 7 rebounds per game.
23.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas later wanted to play for the Lithuania national team in the 2008 Summer Olympics, but the Cavaliers did not permit him to play due to his injury history.
24.
On January 11,2012, Zydrunas Ilgauskas made a return to Cleveland when he was hired by then Cleveland Cavaliers GM Chris Grant to serve as his assistant.
25.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas's duties included evaluating amateur and pro talent prospects.
26.
On September 18,2015, Zydrunas Ilgauskas joined Saint Ignatius High School as the assistant coach for the boys' team.
27.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas married his wife, Jennifer, during the summer of 2004.