Kristaps Porziņģis
Kristaps Porziņģis
Kristaps Porziņģis (born August 2, 1995) is a Latvian professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted by the New York Knicks with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. Porziņģis was a two-time NBA All-Rookie Team selection and has been named to the NBA All-Star Game twice.
Early life and career
Porziņģis was born in Liepāja, Latvia. He began playing basketball at the age of eight. In 2010, he joined BK Liepājas Lauvas of the Latvian Basketball League (LBL). In his first season with Lauvas, Porziņģis averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
The following season, Porziņģis improved his averages to 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He was named the LBL's Young Player of the Year.
NBA career
Porziņģis was drafted by the New York Knicks with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He made his NBA debut on October 28, 2015, against the Milwaukee Bucks. Porziņģis scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his debut.
In his rookie season, Porziņģis averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
In the 2016-17 season, Porziņģis improved his averages to 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Star Game for the first time.
In the 2017-18 season, Porziņģis averaged 22.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Star Game for the second time.
On February 7, 2019, Porziņģis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two future first-round draft picks.
In his first season with the Mavericks, Porziņģis averaged 20.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He led the Mavericks to the playoffs, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.
In the 2020-21 season, Porziņģis averaged 20.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
On August 6, 2022, Porziņģis was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertāns.
International career
Porziņģis has represented Latvia at the international level. He led Latvia to the bronze medal at the 2013 FIBA Europe U18 Championship. He also played for Latvia at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Personal life
Porziņģis is the son of Ingars Porziņģis and Inese Porziņģe. He has two brothers, Jānis and Mārtiņš.
Porziņģis is engaged to model Laura Vizsla. They have one daughter together.
