Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat is a former Polish professional basketball player and 4-time Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) champion. He played in the center position, for several clubs including the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Marcin Janusz Gortat was born on February 17, 1984, in Łódź, Poland (former People's Republic of Poland). He stands 211 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 109 kg.

He was born into a very athletic family – his mother was a player for the Polish national volleyball team while his father was a professional boxer who placed twice in the Olympics. During his younger years, Gortat was into track and field, high jump, and football.

Professional Career

Gortat played with the LKS Lodz during the 2002 to 2003 Season. He then transferred to RheinEnergie Cologne where he played from 2003 to 2007. He was a second-round draft pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA Draft.

He signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on August 2, 2007. Later that year, he played for the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Development League.

Gortat returned to the Magic after a few months where his playing minutes increased game by game. He became the first Polish player to appear in the championship series when the Magic made it to the NBA Finals.

Gortat was traded to the Phoenix Suns on December 18, 2010. He went on to record double-doubles in that season, one of the few centers in the league to do so. Gortat also helped the Polish National Basketball team qualify for the 2013 FIBA Eurobasket tournament.

He was traded to the Washington Wizards on October 25, 2013. Gortat became one of the few franchise players to have a minimum of 30 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on June 26, 2018. He last played for the Lakers in 2019.

In 2022, he was hired as the Player Development and Assistant Coach for the Washington Wizards.

Career Highlights:

• 2009 - EuroBasket rebounding leader
• 2006 - German League champion
• 2004, 2005, 2007 - German Cup champion
• 2006 - German Champions Cup champion

Team History:

As Coach:

• 2022–present - Washington Wizards (Player Development and Assistant Coach)