Kaspars Kambala
 Kambala during friendly match between Sweden and Latvia | |
| Ankara DSI Era | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| League | Turkish Basketball Second League |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
December 13, 1978 Riga, Latvia |
| Nationality | Latvian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Listed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Homestead (Mequon, Wisconsin) |
| College | UNLV (1997–2001) |
| Pro playing career | 2001–present |
| Career history | |
|
Efes Pilsen (2001–2003) Real Madrid (2003–2004) UNICS Kazan (2004–2005) Fenerbahçe (2005–2007) ASK Riga (2009) Enisey Krasnoyarsk (2009-2010) Lukoil Akademik (2010) Aliağa Petkim (2010-2011) Mahram Tehran (2011) Türk Telekom B.K. (2011-2012) Pİ Koleji (2013) Ankara DSI Era (2013-present) | |
Kaspars Kambala (nickname: 'KAS' or 'More than Rocky Balboa') (born 13 December 1978 in Riga, Latvia) is a Latvian professional basketball player and a former professional boxer. He is 2.06 meters (6'9") tall and he weighs 125 kilograms (276 lbs). He plays at the position of forward-center.
Basketball career
Kaspars Kambala started his way to professional basketball in Latvia. He attended high school in Wisconsin and played college basketball at UNLV. He continued his career in Europe, playing for Efes Pilsen, Real Madrid, UNICS Kazan, Fenerbahçe, ASK Riga, Enisey Krasnoyarsk, and the Latvian national basketball team. Kaspars decided to become a professional boxer.
High school
A 1997 graduate of Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin ... a native of Riga, Latvia, averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds his senior season (1996-97) ... he earned All-Wisconsin honors, all-state, MVP of the Northshore Conference and all-county ... named MVP on his team ... Homestead compiled a 16-9 overall record and finished second in conference ... attended the Adidas ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J., along with nearly 200 other top college prospects ... averaged 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds during the camp ... Kambala played in the Eddie Jones Classic All-Star game, which was held at the Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif., on April 15, 1997 ... scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds and he hit the game-winning shot as the Red team beat the Silver team, 125-124 ... member of the Latvian Junior National
Latvian national mens basketball team
In 2001 was Kaspars Kamabala's first appearance for the Latvian national mens basketball team where they participated in eurobasket cup. Kaspars Kambala was the teams leader. He also participated in 2003 and 2009 eurobasket cups. Before 2009 eurobasket cup when Latvias national basketball teams was training for eurobasket there was a scandal involving majority of the team. Players was not complying to all rules and they made some violations. Kaspars was involved in this aswell and after this scandal and violations he was prohibited by Latvian Basketball union to play for Latvias national basketball team for one year. His suspension in basketball ended on December 12, 2008. When his sanction from playing basketball ended, Kas, as he is often called by fans, stated that he was in great shape and that he was once again ready to play at the highest level of European basketball.
In July 2011 he signed with Türk Telekom B.K. for one season.[1]
Honors and awards
- 1998: Western Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (UNLV)
- 2000: Mountain West Conference Regular Season and Tournament (UNLV)
See also
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences
References
External links
- Official Website
- Euroleage.net Player Profile
- UNLV College Player Profile
- Latvian fans holding sign: 'Kambala is more than Rocky Balboa'
- TBLStat.net Profile
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