Linas Kleiza

Linas Kleiza is a professional basketball player with the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association.

On March 24, 2009, Kleiza was fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing officials. The exact nature of the criticism was not disclosed, however the fine stems from a March 20, 2009, game against the Washington Wizards.CBSSports.com: Nuggets' Kleiza Fined $25K for Verbal Abuse of Officials

Linas Kleiza was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on January 3, 1985. He attended high school at Montrose Christian in Maryland and continued his education at the University of Missouri. In 2005.

Playing for the Missouri Tigers, Kleiza tallied per-pergame averages of 16.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 31.5 minutes. He earned All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Tournament honors during the 2005 season adter he averaged 29.5 points and nine rebounds in two tournament games. Kleiza was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 27th pick in the NBA draft.Basketball-Reference.com: Linas Kleiza

After the draft, Kleiza was traded to the Denver Nuggets. As of 2008, Kleiza had career averages of 7.7 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes per game.NBA.com: Linas Kleiza

According to his profile on NBA.com, Kleiza's favorite actor is Robert DeNiro, and he can speak four languages: English, German, Russian, and Lithuanian.NBA.com: Linas Kleiza Bio

• January 3, 1985: Born
• 2005: Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers
• 2005: Traded to the Denver Nuggets

• Mahalo's Guide to the Denver Nuggets
• NBA.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 6'8"
  • Weight: 245 lbs
  • Rookie Year: 2005