Gintaras Einikis

Gintaras Einikis

Personal information
Born	(1969-09-30) September 30, 1969 Kretinga, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR
Nationality	Lithuanian
Career information
NBA draft	1991 / Undrafted
Pro career	1987–2006
Position	Power forward / Center
Number	11
Career history
1987-1995	Žalgiris
1995-1999	Avtodor
1999-2001	CSKA
2001-2002	Śląsk Wrocław
2002-2003	Žalgiris
2003-2004	Prokom Trefl Sopot
2004	Unicaja
2005	Lietuvos Rytas
2005-2006	CEZ Basketball Nymburk
2009-2010	Naglis-Adakris Palanga
Career highlights and awards
4-time Lithuanian SSR League Champion 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 5-time LKL Champion - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003 Lithuanian League MVP - 1995 Russian Basketball Super League Champion - 2000 Polish League Champion - 2004 ULEB Cup Champion - 2005
Medals Men's Basketball Competitor for  Lithuania Bronze Barcelona 1992 National team Bronze Atlanta 1996 National team Bronze Sydney 2000 National team European Championships Silver 1995 Greece National team

Gintaras Einikis (born September 30, 1969 in Kretinga, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR) is a retired Lithuanian professional basketball player. He stands at 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) and is former Lithuanian basketball center for the Lithuanian national team. Einikis is the only player from the Lithuanian national team to have won all three consecutive bronze medals at the Olympics in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney.^[1]

Playing career

In 1987, the 18-year-old Einikis arrived at Žalgiris to replace his injured teammate Arvydas Sabonis. He established himself as a strong and aggressive defender, an excellent center and a surprisingly accurate three-point shooter. When Sabonis left Žalgiris, Einikis continued his career as a starter. In 1995, he left for Avtodor Saratov. After dominating with Avtodor, Einikis moved to CSKA Moscow. After 2 moderate seasons, he moved to Idea-Slask, where he averaged 9 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game in 22 minutes of Euroleague action. He moved back to Zalgiris, contributing more to the team. During the last years of his career his averages fell drastically; however, he helped Lietuvos Rytas to win Uleb Cup in 2005. He retired after the 2005-06 season. In 2009 he returned to professional basketball and played for Naglis-Adakris. After 2009-2010 season he retired second time.

Career statistics

Note: The Euroleague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season, he also played in domestic competition.

Euroleague

Controversies

In 2008, Einikis participated in altercation with a night club's staff, yelling insults, threatening physical harm and refusing to leave the club.^[2] He and his friend were fined with 3,000 Litas.

After the incident, Einikis was spotted leaving the club in his car Volkswagen Touareg. Because he had lost his license a year ago after his involvement in a hit and run accident, he was fined with an additional 2,500 Litas.^[3] During the accident, it was speculated that he was on cocaine. The police discovered cocaine powder in his car.^[4]

In 2011, Einikis, heavily intoxicated, with 5.11 per mil blood-alcohol concentration, went to his friend's house and threatened to kill her by setting her house on fire. He was later arrested and charged with threats of arson and assault.^[5]

He married his longtime friend Jurgita in July 2012. Later that month, however, he, while under the influence of alcohol, physically assaulted his wife.^[6] He is currently incarcerated pending trial.

Awards/achievements

• Lithuanian League Champion - 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003
• Lithuanian League MVP - 1995
• European Silver Medalist - 1995
• Champion of Russian League - 2000
• Champion of Polish League - 2004
• ULEB Cup winner - 2005

References

External links

• Profile