Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a former All-Star center for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. Zydrunas or “Big Z” has made a place for himself in Cleveland as one of the most beloved athletes in the state. Big Z has played his entire career with Cleveland Cavaliers and has been a class-act along the way. Always respectful of the competition and the game, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is seen as one of the NBA’s true gentlemen and a consummate professional. His commitment to one organization is a rare one, but it is to be celebrated.

The future is uncertain for Zydrunas, as in seeing that he’s now spent twelve seasons in the NBA and his contract will run out at the end of the 2009-2010 NBA season. The Cavaliers would certainly welcome Big Z back, but retirement seems very plausible. One thing that is certain, once Big Z does retire, his jersey will be hanging from the rafters in Cleveland. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/zydrunas_ilgauskas/career_stats.html

Zydrunas played for his home club team Atletas Basketball Club in Kaunas, Lithuania, before coming to the NBA. He was drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but did not play his first season due to a foot injury. Ilgauskas made an impressive debut in the 1997-1998 season, making the All-Rookie first team and earning MVP honors in the Rookie Challenge Game. However, another foot injury would sideline Ilgauskas for all but five games during the 1998-1999 season.

Ilgauskas continued to struggle with injuries until the 2002-2003 season. He was finally healthy and able to produce on a regular basis. In 2003, he was paired with LeBron James and would help Cleveland reach the NBA Finals in 2007. Big Z is still with the Cavaliers and has remain vital, help the team achieve back to back 60+ win seasons in 2009 and 2010. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/zydrunas_ilgauskas/bio.html