Born: February 17, 1984 in Lodz, Poland
Early days. Father- boxer Janusz Gortat (two Olympic bronze medals: 1972, 1976)
Beginnings. Gortat started his career in 2002 in LKS Lodz, then he played 3 seasons (2003-2007) in RheinEnergie Cologne in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga. RheinEnergie Cologne won the domestic championship in 2006.
NBA career. Gortat is currently under contract with the Orlando Magic, who assigned him to Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Development League in November, 2007. He was recalled from the D-League in December and he played his first NBA game in March, 2008 against the New York Knicks. As of the end of the 2007�08 season, Gortat has appeared in 14 NBA games for the Orlando Magic, including eight playoff appearances. In April, 2008, in the Magic's last game of the 2007-08 NBA season, Gortat played 28 minutes and registered a career-high 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 103-83 Magic win over the Washington Wizards. In December, 2008, starting in place of the injured Dwight Howard, Gortat played 28 minutes and topped his career highs with 16 points and 13 rebounds. In April, 2009, again in place of the injured Howard, Gortat played almost 43 minutes and topped his career high in rebounding with 18 rebounds and 10 points. On April 30, 2009, Gortat made his first playoff start in Game 6 against Philadelphia 76ers replacing Howard, who was suspended in game 5. He had 11 points and 15 rebounds as the Magic eliminated their opponent 4-2. During the 2008/2009 season Gortat played in 63 matches, had 239 points and 286 rebounds.
Representing Poland. In 2008 he played six matches in Polish team helping, among others, to win against the Italian team (28 points and 13 rebounds).
Major successes. Championship of Germany: 2005/2006; Germany�s Trophy: 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2006/2007; third Polish-born player who played in NBA; first Polish-born player who played in NBA play-offs; first Polish-born player to achieve double-double in NBA; first Polish-born player to appear in the NBA finals.
Source:
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Marcin Gortat" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. :
Wikipedia
Additions from other sources:
Wikipedia in Polish
Marcin Gortat. The Official Website (in Polish)
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