Rihards Kuksiks
 | |
| BK VEF Rīga | |
|---|---|
| Shooting guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
July 17, 1988 Riga, Latvia |
| Nationality | Latvian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Florida Air Academy (Melbourne, Florida) |
| College | Arizona State (2007–2011) |
| Pro playing career | 2011–present |
| Career history | |
| 2011–2012 | Valencia BC |
| 2012–2013 | Lagun Aro GBC |
| 2013 | Budivelnyk |
| 2014-present | BK VEF Rīga |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Rihards Kuksiks (born July 17, 1988) is a Latvian basketball player for BK VEF Rīga of Latvia. He also plays for the Latvia national basketball team.
College
2007–08
His freshman year Rihards appeared in 27 games, averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. He had double digits in six of final 12 games, including 15 in win at Washington and 12 in big home win vs. USC. Rihards hit 21 three-pointers in final nine games against Pac-10 teams. Also, Kuksiks had 15 points on 6-of-12 field goals and had three three-pointers in win over seventh-ranked Stanford on Feb. 14.
2008–09
In his sophomore year Kuksiks established himself as a solid third option behind NBA draft picks James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph by averaging 10.3 points in 33.1 minutes per game. That year ASU played in the NCAA Tournament.
2009–10
After Harden and Pendergraph leaving for NBA, Rihards role got bigger and he finished season leading team in scoring with 12.1 ppg. In his junior year Kuksiks had six 20-point games.
Entering his senior year Rihards Kuksiks has made 224 three-pointers in his 94-game Sun Devil career, already fifth on the school's career list. He has a shot to reach second on the list, as he is 53 behind Ron Riley (263). But teammate Ty Abbott is close behind with 199.
2010–11
In his senior season Kuksiks averaged 10.4 points. Rihards finished his career in Arizona State with 280 career three-pointers made, second spot on the ASU career list and seventh on the Pac-10 list, while 696 attempts is ninth on the Pac-10 career chart and fourth in ASU history. He became the 34th member of ASU's 1,000-point club against Long Beach State, as he finished with 1,175 points (23rd on Sun Devil career charts).
Professional career
After graduation from college Rihards returned to Europe, signing his pro contract with Valencia Basket, one of the top teams in Spanish ACB League that is widely regarded as best national league in Europe. In October 2012 he returned to ACB, joining Lagun Aro. In middle of the season Kuksiks moved to Ukrainian powerhouse BC Budivelnyk.
Latvian national team
Kuksiks has been member of the Latvian U16, U18 and U20 National Team as well as Senior National Team. In 2010 he was leading scorer for Senior Team, averaging 13.3 points and 3.4 rebounds in eight games. In his best game against Israel on August 8 he made seven three pointers which is all-time Latvian national team record in official games. Previous record was six three pointers made in one game by three players (Sandis Valters, Uvis Helmanis and Ainars Bagatskis). In Eurobasket 2011 he was also team's leading scorer, averaging 16 points. In summer of 2012 he helped Latvia to qualify for Eurobasket 2013, scoring 12,1 points per game.
External links
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