Alex Len
{{Short description|Ukrainian basketball player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{family name hatnote|Yuriyovich|Len|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Alex Len
| image = Alex Len 2020.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Len with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020
| position = Center
| height_ft = 7
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 250
| league = NBA
| team = Los Angeles Lakers
| number = 27
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|6|16}}
| birth_place = Antratsyt, Ukraine
| high_school = Dnipro Higher College
(Dnipro, Ukraine)
| college = Maryland (2011–2013)
| draft_year = 2013
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 5
| draft_team = Phoenix Suns
| career_start = 2010–2011; 2013
| career_end =
| years1 = 2010–2011
| team1 = Dnipro
| years2 = {{nbay|2013|start}}–{{nbay|2017|end}}
| team2 = Phoenix Suns
| years3 = {{nbay|2018|start}}–{{nbay|2019|end}}
| team3 = Atlanta Hawks
| years4 = {{nbay|2019|end}}
| team4 = Sacramento Kings
| years5 = {{nbay|2020|full=y}}
| team5 = Toronto Raptors
| years6 = {{nbay|2020|end}}
| team6 = Washington Wizards
| years7 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2024|end}}
| team7 = Sacramento Kings
| years8 = {{nbay|2024|end}}–present
| team8 = Los Angeles Lakers
| highlights = * Ukrainian Cup champion (2011)
}}
Oleksii Yuriyovych Len ({{langx|uk|Олексій Юрійович Лень}}; born June 16, 1993), commonly known as Alex Len ({{Langx|uk|Алекс Лень}}), is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before being drafted, he played two seasons for the Maryland Terrapins (then in the Atlantic Coast Conference) as well as a season with Dnipro.
Early life
Len was born in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine to a mother named Yuliia, who ran track early in her life. Growing up, Len participated in gymnastics and liked watching Jackie Chan films.{{cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-09-25/sports/bal-maryland-basketball-player-alex-len-gives-first-media-interviews-20120925_1_alex-len-maryland-madness-coach-mark-turgeon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011091943/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-09-25/sports/bal-maryland-basketball-player-alex-len-gives-first-media-interviews-20120925_1_alex-len-maryland-madness-coach-mark-turgeon|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2014|title=Maryland basketball player Alex Len gives first media interviews}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/news/five-things-you-need-know-about-alex-len|title=Five Things You Need to Know About Alex Len - Phoenix Suns|website=NBA.com }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/suns-one-one-alex-len|title=Suns One On One: Alex Len|website=www.nba.com}} As a young gymnast, Len was trained by Oleksii Stepanenko, who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi.[http://sport.segodnya.ua/basketball/Mama-nashego-novichka-NBA-Lenya-o-kaktusah-mede-i-nyuansah-zhizni-v-basketbolnoy-Amerike-450784.html Мама нашего новичка НБА Лэня: о кактусах, меде и нюансах жизни в баскетбольной Америке (фото)] {{in lang|ru}} He started playing basketball at the age of 13 and later attended Dnipro Higher College in Dnipro, Ukraine.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbadraft.net/players/alex-len|title=Alex Len - NBADraft.net|website=www.nbadraft.net}} He played for the Ukraine national team at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where during the 2010 tournament, he was the fourth-best overall scorer, second-best rebounder, and the best shot blocker. Following the tournament, Len joined BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague for the 2010–11 season.
College career
Len was recruited by then Maryland assistant basketball coach, Scott Spinelli. He was the recipient of an athletic scholarship from the University of Maryland coach Gary Williams, but Williams resigned after the 2010–11 season. Mark Turgeon was hired to take his place. While Williams began recruiting Len, it was Turgeon and Spinelli who eventually lured him to Maryland.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/maryland/article/maryland-adds-7-foot-2-ukranian-star-alex-len-35896/|title=IMS Exclusive: Terps Add 7-Footer}} Len underachieved in his freshman year, averaging 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, but showed lottery pick potential after serving a ten game suspension at the beginning of the year due to NCAA amateurism issues resulting from his play with BC Dnipro, a European club team from his home nation.
Len opened his sophomore season on November 9, 2012, against the reigning champion Kentucky Wildcats, led by ESPN's #1 player of the 2012 recruiting class, Nerlens Noel. The game was played at the brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Len overpowered Noel throughout the entire game, scoring 23 points with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, while holding Noel to just four points, although Kentucky won the game 72–69. Following the game, there was talk{{By whom|date=January 2020}} that Len could potentially be a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. On January 16, 2013, Len scored 10 points, including a game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds in the game, upsetting #14 North Carolina State with a 52–50 win. On February 16, 2013, Len played a role in Maryland's 83–81 victory over the top ranked Duke Blue Devils. Len put up 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, while holding Duke star senior Mason Plumlee to four points.{{cite web|url=http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=208121790|title=Alex Len Bio|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628134429/http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=208121790|url-status=dead}} He went on to average 11.9 points per game in 38 total games that season.
On April 14, 2013, Len decided to declare for the 2013 NBA draft. He was projected to land in the lottery, with some experts projecting Len as the #1 overall pick.{{cite web|title=Terps' Alex Len to enter NBA draft|url=http://www.baltimorenewsjournal.com/2013/04/15/terps-alex-len-to-enter-nba-draft/|work=BaltimoreNewsJournal.com|date=April 15, 2013|access-date=April 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419061718/http://www.baltimorenewsjournal.com/2013/04/15/terps-alex-len-to-enter-nba-draft/|archive-date=April 19, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/terrapins-insider/wp/2013/06/27/alex-lens-final-nba-mock-draft-roundup-no-1-overall-still-a-possibility/|title=Alex Len's final NBA mock draft roundup: No. 1 overall still a possibility?|first=Alex|last=Prewitt|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 27, 2013}} On May 3, 2013, Len ended up getting surgery on his left ankle that resulted in him being out for several months, ultimately causing him to sit out from the 2013 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2013/story/_/id/9239845/alex-len-miss-all-pre-draft-workouts-surgery|title=Likely lottery pick Len out after ankle surgery|date=May 3, 2013}}
Professional career
=Phoenix Suns (2013–2018)=
==2013–14 season==
Len was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA draft. Len was the second international-born player to be selected in that draft, behind the first overall selection in Canadian-born Anthony Bennett, as well as the highest-selected Ukrainian-born player to be drafted in the NBA, which was a record previously held by Vitalii Potapenko in 1996. He was also the first Suns player to be taken in the top 5 of an NBA draft since Armen Gilliam in 1987. Due to his ankle surgeries, Len did not join the Suns for the 2013 NBA Summer League. On July 12, 2013, Len had surgery on his right ankle due to a stress fracture.{{cite web|url=http://valleyofthesuns.com/2013/07/12/alex-len-undergoes-right-ankle-surgery-suns-announce/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130817164418/http://valleyofthesuns.com/2013/07/12/alex-len-undergoes-right-ankle-surgery-suns-announce/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2013|title=Alex Len undergoes right ankle surgery, Suns announce|date=July 12, 2013}} He signed with the Suns on August 29, 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/first-round-pick-alex-len-signs-suns|title=FIRST ROUND PICK ALEX LEN SIGNS WITH SUNS - THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE PHOENIX SUNS|website=www.nba.com}} and was cleared to practice with them by early September.{{cite web|url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/12/suns-rookie-alex-len-says-he-is-cleared-to-practice/|title=Suns rookie Alex Len says he is cleared to practice|date=September 12, 2013}}
Len made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013, at home in a close victory against the Utah Jazz. He sat out seven games before returning on November 19 against the Sacramento Kings. However, a day later, Len re-injured his left knee and missed over six weeks before returning on January 7 against the Chicago Bulls. Len had his first 10-rebound game in a 126–117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 29, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2014/|title=Alex Len 2013-14 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}
==2014–15 season==
In July 2014, Len joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2014 NBA Summer League. In the Suns' first game of the Summer League, Len recorded 6 points and 6 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors before fracturing his right pinkie finger and was subsequently ruled out until training camp.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11210527/alex-len-phoenix-suns-miss-rest-summer-league-broken-pinky|title=Suns' Len (finger) out of summer league|date=July 13, 2014}} On October 7, 2014, a day before the Suns' first pre-season game of 2014 against Brazilian club Flamengo, Len fractured the same pinkie finger again, forcing him to the sidelines once more.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/len-sidelined-fractured-finger|title=Len Sidelined With Fractured Finger - Phoenix Suns|website=NBA.com }} He returned to action two weeks later in the Suns' pre-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnbaltimore.com/ncaa-maryland-terps/alex-len-makes-one-big-play-return-nba-court|title=Alex Len makes one big play in return to NBA court|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025030832/http://www.csnbaltimore.com/ncaa-maryland-terps/alex-len-makes-one-big-play-return-nba-court|archive-date=October 25, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
On October 31, 2014, Len recorded his first career double-double with career-highs in points and rebounds with 10 and 11, respectively, in the Suns' 94–89 win over the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141031/SASPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Spurs at Suns|website=NBA.com |access-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031213848/http://www.nba.com/games/20141031/SASPHX/gameinfo.html|archive-date=October 31, 2014|url-status=dead}} On November 17, he scored a then career-high 19 points in a 118–114 win over the Boston Celtics.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20141117/PHXBOS/gameinfo.html|title=Suns at Celtics|website=NBA.com |access-date=November 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119092113/http://www.nba.com/games/20141117/PHXBOS/gameinfo.html|archive-date=November 19, 2014|url-status=dead}} Len started his first game on December 15 against the Milwaukee Bucks and continued to start for the Suns until February 5 when injured his ankle after a failed alley-oop attempt in the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150205/PHXPOR/gameinfo.html|title=Suns at Trail Blazers|website=NBA.com }} After missing three games due to the injury, he returned to action on February 20 to record 11 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six blocks in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150220/PHXMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Suns at Timberwolves|website=NBA.com }} On April 2, he underwent successful surgery to repair his broken nose, an injury he suffered against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 30.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/alex-len-undergoes-surgery-repair-broken-nose|title=Alex Len Undergoes Surgery to Repair Broken Nose - Phoenix Suns|website=NBA.com }} He subsequently missed the final seven games of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2015/|title=Alex Len 2014-15 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}
==2015–16 season==
In July 2015, Len re-joined the Suns for the 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where in five games, he averaged 10.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/summerleague/2015/players/sl_alex_len/|title=2015 Summer League Player Profile – Alex Len|website=NBA.com |access-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719032600/http://www.nba.com/summerleague/2015/players/sl_alex_len|archive-date=July 19, 2015|url-status=dead}} Following the conclusion of the Summer League, Len began training with his new teammate Tyson Chandler, as well as rival center and one of Len's personal favorite players, Tim Duncan, throughout the off-season.{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/10/05/suns-alex-len-helped-tim-duncan-tyson-chandler/73420738/|title=Suns' Alex Len helped by Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler}} On December 9, Len recorded a then career-high 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 107–104 win over the Orlando Magic.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151209/ORLPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Magic vs Suns|website=NBA.com }} On January 11, he was ruled out for three games with a left hand sprain.{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/01/12/suns-adjust-pacers-without-alex-len-ronnie-price/78687736/|title=Suns adjust for Pacers without Brandon Knight, Alex Len, Ronnie Price}} On February 4, he recorded 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in a 111–105 loss to the Houston Rockets.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160204/HOUPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Rockets vs Suns|website=NBA.com }} On February 21, he recorded a then career-high 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 118–111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160221/SASPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Spurs vs Suns|website=NBA.com |access-date=February 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224041640/http://www.nba.com/games/20160221/SASPHX/gameinfo.html|archive-date=February 24, 2016|url-status=dead}} He went on to set a new career high on March 4, recording 31 points along with 15 rebounds in a 102–84 win over the Orlando Magic.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160304/PHXORL/gameinfo.html|title=Suns vs Magic|website=NBA.com }} Two days later, Len recorded 19 points, 16 rebounds and a career-high 6 assists in a 109–100 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160306/PHXMEM/gameinfo.html|title=Suns vs Grizzlies|website=NBA.com }} On March 17, he recorded his 10th straight game with 10+ rebounds.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lenal01/gamelog/2016/|title=Alex Len 2015-16 Game Log - Basketball-Reference.com|website=Basketball-Reference.com}} On April 7, he recorded a career-high seven assists in a 124–115 win over the Houston Rockets.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SunsBballComm/status/718263624968630272|title=Career-highs for @Suns tonight: P.J. Tucker with 24 points (prev. 23, 3/14/16) and @alexlen with 7 assists (prev. 6, 3/6/16) #SunsAtRockets|first=Phoenix Suns|last=Stats}} Len appeared in 78 games for the Suns in 2015–16, starting in 46 of them, both career highs. He recorded 19 double-doubles and finished with averages of 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, all career highs.
==2016–17 season==
File:Partido NBA -i---i- (32286841595) (cropped).jpg
After going 0–4 to start the season, Len helped the Suns record their first win on November 2 with 18 points in a 118–115 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899513|title=Bledsoe's 3 sinks Blazers in OT, 118-115|work=ESPN.com|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016}} On November 8, he recorded 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in a 107–100 win over the Detroit Pistons.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899563|title=Bledsoe, Dudley lead Suns past Pistons 105-99 [sic]|work=ESPN.com|date=November 9, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2016}} On December 9, he recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high five blocks off the bench in a 119–115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899786|title=Eric Bledsoe scores 30, Suns hold off Lakers 119-115|work=ESPN.com|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=December 10, 2016}} On February 10, 2017, he was suspended one game without pay for leaving the bench area and entering the playing court during an altercation in the Suns' 110–91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies two days earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/02/10/phoenix-suns-alex-len-suspended-one-game-leaving-bench|title=Suns' Len suspended one game for leaving bench during altercation|work=NBA.com|date=February 10, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2017}}
==2017–18 season==
Following the 2016–17 season, Len became a restricted free agent. On September 25, 2017, after spending the off-season looking to get a better deal,{{cite web|last=Sidery|first=Evan|url=https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2017/9/21/16291160/report-alex-len-to-sign-qualifying-offer-before-training-camp-phoenix-suns-nba|title=Report: Alex Len to sign qualifying offer before training camp|work=brightsideofthesun.com|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2017}} Len signed a one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer to return to the Suns.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-sign-alex-len|title=Phoenix Suns Sign Alex Len|work=NBA.com|date=September 25, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Charania|first=Shams|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-alex-len-signs-qualifying-offer-phoenix-suns-180915450.html|title=Sources: Alex Len signs qualifying offer with Phoenix Suns|work=Yahoo.com|date=September 25, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2017}} On November 17, 2017, Len had 17 points and 18 rebounds in a 122–113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400974978|title=Devin Booker's 33 points power Suns past Lakers, 122-113|work=ESPN.com|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=November 17, 2017}} On November 28, 2017, he tied a career high with 18 rebounds in a 104–99 win over the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975050|title=Booker scores 33 as Suns top Bulls 104-99|work=ESPN.com|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2017}} On December 16, 2017, he had 12 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 108–106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975185|title=Canaan helps Suns rally to beat T-Wolves 108-106|work=ESPN.com|date=December 16, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2017}} On March 2, 2018, he had six blocks in a 124–116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975679|title=Thunder vs. Suns – Box Score|work=ESPN.com|date=March 2, 2018|access-date=June 24, 2018}}
=Atlanta Hawks (2018–2020)=
On August 3, 2018, Len signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-sign-alex-len|title=Atlanta Hawks Sign Alex Len|work=NBA.com|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Marcovitch|first=Max E.|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/excited-for-new-opportunity-len-signs-million-deal-join-hawks/NiHFi3x5tqUsfKoezVUc6K/|title=Excited for new opportunity, Len signs $8.5 million deal to join Hawks|work=AJC.com|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018}} On December 23, 2018, he had 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–95 win over the Detroit Pistons.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071167|title=Alex Len, Vince Carter lift Hawks over Pistons 98-95|work=ESPN.com|date=December 23, 2018|access-date=December 24, 2018}} On March 3, 2019, he scored a then season-high 28 points with a career-high five 3-pointers in a 123–118 win over the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071619|title=Len scores 28, Hawks hold on to beat Bulls 123-118|work=ESPN.com|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 4, 2019}} On April 7, he scored a career-high 33 points, including a career-best six 3-pointers, in a 115–107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071875|title=Giannis-led Bucks win 60th for first time since '81|work=ESPN.com|date=April 7, 2019|access-date=April 8, 2019}}
=Sacramento Kings (2020)=
On February 6, 2020, Len and Jabari Parker were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dewayne Dedmon and two second round picks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-alex-len-and-jabari-parker|title=Kings Acquire Alex Len and Jabari Parker|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=NBA trade grades: Kings send DeWayne Dedmon to Hawks for Jabari Parker and Alex Len, per reports|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-trade-grades-kings-send-dewayne-dedmon-to-hawks-for-jabari-parker-and-alex-len-per-reports/|access-date=2021-08-03|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}}
=Toronto Raptors (2020–2021)=
On November 29, 2020, Len signed with the Toronto Raptors.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/raptors-sign-len|title=Raptors Sign Len|work=NBA.com|date=November 29, 2020}} He was waived by the Raptors on January 19, 2021, after 13 regular season games.{{cite tweet |user=Raptors |number=1351624028633575431 |date=January 19, 2021 |title=Official: We've waived centre Alex Len}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-raptors-waive-c-alex-len-1.1579689|title=Raptors waive veteran centre Len|work=TSN.ca|date=January 19, 2021}}
=Washington Wizards (2021)=
=Return to Sacramento (2021–2025)=
On August 13, 2021, Len signed with the Sacramento Kings.{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Alex Len|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-alex-len|website=NBA.com|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=August 14, 2021}} On January 7, 2022, he recorded a season-high 18 points, alongside ten rebounds and two steals, in a 111–121 loss to the Denver Nuggets.{{cite web|title=NIKOLA JOKIC SCORES 33 POINTS, NUGGETS BEAT KINGS, 121-111|url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022100588|website=NBA.com|access-date=January 23, 2023}}
On July 8, 2024, Len re-signed with the Kings.{{cite web|title=Sacramento Kings Re-Sign Alex Len|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/sacramento-kings-re-sign-alex-len-2024|website=NBA.com|date=July 9, 2024|access-date=July 18, 2024}}
=Los Angeles Lakers (2025–present)=
On February 6, 2025, Len was traded back to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal.{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/washington-acquires-marcus-smart-colby-jones-alex-len-and-a-first-round-pick-in-multi-team-trade | title=Washington Acquires Marcus Smart, Colby Jones, Alex Len, and a First-Round Pick In Multi-Team Trade | date=February 6, 2025 | work=NBA.com }} On February 11, 2025, Len was waived by the Wizards and later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=Alex Len, Waived By Wizards, Signs With Lakers |url=https://www.si.com/nba/wizards/washington-wizards-news/alex-len-waived-washington-wizards-signs-with-lakers |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Washington Wizards On SI |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/los-angeles-lakers-sign-center-alex-len|title=Los Angeles Lakers Sign Center Alex Len|work=NBA.com|date=February 11, 2025}}
National team career
Len played for Ukraine's Under-16 national team during the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. Despite his performance throughout the tournament, which included a 20-point outing against Israel and averaging 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and being the second-best shot blocker in the tournament with 2.6 blocks per game,{{cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.playerID_75836.compID_YUjW-7-FJ,kK9s431Lyr41.season_2009.roundID_6650.teamID_2183.html|title=Oleksii Len - U16 European Championship Men (2009) - FIBA Europe|website=www.fibaeurope.com}} the Under-16 national team was relegated under the Division B section after the tournament for over a year's time. He played with his nation's Under-18 national team for the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. Unlike in the Under-16 Tournament he participated in back in 2009, Len helped the Under-18 team stay in the Division A tournaments for at least another year. His performance throughout the tournament led to the University of Maryland, along with a few other universities like Virginia Tech, gaining enough interest in him to get him on their team.
In August 2018, Len was named to play for the Ukraine national basketball team for the first time at the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in September.{{Cite web |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/national-teams/national-teams/286823/alex-len-and-svi-mykhailiuk-will-be-available-for-ukraine-at-next-fiba-wc-qualifier-window.html |title=Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk will be available for Ukraine at next FIBA WC qualifier window |access-date=September 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005015030/https://sportando.basketball/en/national-teams/national-teams/286823/alex-len-and-svi-mykhailiuk-will-be-available-for-ukraine-at-next-fiba-wc-qualifier-window.html |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix
| 42 || 3 || 8.6 || .423 || {{sort|-|—}} || .645 || 2.4 || .1 || .1 || .4 || 2.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix
| 69 || 44 ||22.0|| .507 || .333 || .702 || 6.6 || .5 || .5 || 1.5 || 6.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix
| 78 || 46 || 23.3 || .423 || .143 || .728 || 7.6 || 1.2 || .5 || .8 || 9.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix
| 77 || 34 || 20.3 || .497 || .250 || .721 || 6.6 || .6 || .5 || 1.3 || 8.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix
| 69 || 13 || 20.2 || .566 || .333 || .684 || 7.5 || 1.2 || .4 || .9 || 8.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2018}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Atlanta
| 77 || 31 || 20.1 || .494 || .363 || .648 || 5.5 || 1.1 || .4 || .9 || 11.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2019}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Atlanta
| 40 || 9 || 18.6 || .546 || .250 || .630 || 5.8 || 1.1 || .5 || .8 || 8.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 15 || 3 || 15.0 || .593 || .667 || .708 || 6.1 || .5 || .2 || 1.0 || 5.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2020}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Toronto
| 7 || 2 || 10.8 || .500 || .500 || .500 || 1.6 || .4 || .1 || .9 || 2.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Washington
| 57 || 40 || 15.8 || .619 || .263 || .636 || 4.4 || .8 || .3 || 1.0 || 7.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 39 || 10 || 15.9 || .534 || .286 || .651 || 4.1 || 1.2 || .3 || .6 || 6.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 26 || 2 || 6.2 || .533 || .000 || .688 || 2.3 || .5 || .2 || .4 || 1.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 48 || 0 || 9.3 || .617 || .000 || .588 || 2.7 || 1.0 || .2 || .7 || 2.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 36 || 3 || 7.2 || .537 || .167 || .538 || 1.8 || .8 || .2 || .5 || 1.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers
| 10 || 4 || 12.2 || .455 || .333 || .250 || 3.1 || .8 || .1 || .3 || 2.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 690 || 244 || 17.0 || .510 || .322 || .678 || 5.3 || .9 || .4 || .9 || 6.7
{{s-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2021
| style="text-align:left;"|Washington
| 5 || 3 || 8.4 || .571 || {{sort|-|—}} || .571 || 2.2 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 4.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2023
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 7 || 0 || 7.8 || .778 || {{sort|-|—}} || .833 || 2.9 || .1 || .0 || .4 || 2.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2025
| style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers
| 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 14 || 3 || 7.1 || .625 || {{sort|-|—}} || .692 || 2.5 || .2 || .1 || .2 || 2.8
{{s-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2011–12
| style="text-align:left;"|Maryland
| 22 || 11 || 21.2 || .553 || .000 || .587 || 5.4 || .6 || .2 || 2.1 || 6.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2012–13
| style="text-align:left;"|Maryland
| 38 || 37 || 26.4 || .534 || .125 || .686 || 7.8 || 1.0 || .2 || 2.1 || 11.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 60 || 48 || 24.5 || .538 || .111 || .663 || 7.0 || .8 || .2 || 2.1 || 9.7
{{s-end}}
Personal life
In December 2015, Len and his mother, Yuliia, created the Len-d A Hand Foundation, a charity that helps reach out to the youth in Phoenix, Arizona and other surrounding areas.{{cite web|url=http://www.lenfoundation.org/about-us/|title=About Us – LenD A Hand Foundation|access-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004231631/http://www.lenfoundation.org/about-us/|archive-date=October 4, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/blog/alex-len-ds-hand-home-country|title=Alex Len-ds a Hand in Home Country - Phoenix Suns|website=NBA.com }} A strong swimmer, on April 25, 2016 he helped save his friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/05/06/phoenix-suns-center-alex-len-saves-friend-drowning-dominican-republic/83929572/|title=Phoenix Suns center Alex Len saves friend from drowning in Dominican Republic|publisher=The Arizona Republic}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
{{Portal|Sports}}
{{basketballstats |nba=203458 |bbr=l/lenal01}}
- [http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=208121790 Maryland Terrapins bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628134429/http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=208121790 |date=June 28, 2017 }}
- [https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2596107/alex-len ESPN profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203022900/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6045315/playerview.html FIBA profile]
{{Los Angeles Lakers current roster}}
{{2013 NBA draft}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Len, Alex}}
Category:Atlanta Hawks players
Category:Maryland Terrapins men's basketball players
Category:NBA players from Ukraine
Category:People from Antratsyt
Category:Phoenix Suns draft picks
Category:Sacramento Kings players
Category:Sportspeople from Luhansk Oblast
Category:Toronto Raptors players
Category:Ukrainian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Ukrainian expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Category:Ukrainian men's basketball players