Linas Kleiza a Denver Nugget after Trade Following the First Round of the NBA Draft
6/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 28, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri forward Linas Kleiza was selected by the Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft on Tuesday night. However, less than an hour later, the talented forward was traded to the Denver Nuggets for the draft rights of Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack. Kleiza, who was selected with the 27th pick, is the fourth Tiger in the last six years to be selected in the draft under head coach Quin Snyder.
"I have had two of the best years of my life playing at Missouri. I am thankful for the guidance of Coach Snyder through all of the challenges that I have faced. Coach Q was hard on me at times this year but it helped me improve as the year went along." Kleiza said from his home in New York. "I chose Missouri over North Carolina for their Player Development Program and this is the culmination of this effort as I improved in all aspects of my game. I am grateful for my relationships with my teammates and want the best for them next season."
Although Kleiza was only Honorable Mention All-Big 12, his play improved dramatically in the final few games of the season which vastly improved his stock in the draft. Despite only shooting 38 percent from the field in the Big 12 and 19 percent from the 3-point line, Kleiza is an excellent shooter which he displayed in workouts for NBA teams. His strong finish in the final four games of the season (24.3 points, 9.5 rebounds) helped propel him into the first round of the draft.
"The Mizzou basketball family is extremely excited to see Linas reach one of his life-long goals and we are looking forward to watching his career flourish at the next level. This has been our plan for Linas since we met with his family last summer. At the conclusion of the season I advised him to enter the draft." Snyder said. "His tenacity and competitiveness are two of his strongest attributes and his versatility will allow him to develop quickly into an impact player in the NBA."
For more information on Mizzou basketball, log on to www.mutigers.com.
Players Drafted Under Mizzou Head Coach Quin Snyder
Year Player Team Round Pick
2005 Linas Kleiza Portland Trailblazers 1st 27th (Traded to Denver Nuggets on draft night)2004 Rickey Paulding Detroit Pistons 2nd 54th
2002 Kareem Rush Toronto Raptors 1st 20th (Traded to L.A. Lakers on draft night)
2000 Keyon Dooling Orlando Magic 1st 10th (Traded to L.A. Clippers on draft night)
Notes of Note on Kleiza
Career: 14.4 ppg., 7.9 rpg.
2004-05 - As a sophomore ...
- Earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Honors by vote of the league's coaches.
- Was named to the All-Big 12 Tournament Team after averaging 29.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 35.0 minutes per contest in the Tigers' two tournament games. He hit 46.7 percent of his shots (14-of-30) for the tourney and 90.3 percent (28-of-31) of his free throw attempts.
- Had a career and tournament high 33 points against Oklahoma in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. He became the 12th player in Big 12 history to score over 30 points in a tournament game and equaled former Tiger Kareem Rush's Big 12 Tournament Mizzou high with the 33 point effort.
- His 33-point effort also tied Aaron Bruce of Baylor for the top individual scoring output by a player in the Big 12 this season.
- Led Mizzou in scoring (16.1 points per game), rebounding (7.6 rebounds per game) and minutes (31.5 minutes per game) on the season.
- Became the first Tiger to lead the team in all three categories since 1998-1999 when former Tiger Albert White averaged a team-high 16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 31.0 minutes per contest.
- Led the Tigers in scoring, rebounding or in both categories in 25 of the Tigers' 33 games.
- Finished ninth in the league in scoring and fifth in the league in rebounds per game.
- Also cracked the top 15 in the league in free throw percentage at 73.2 percent (169-of-231). His 169 free throws made and 231 attempts both led the Big 12.
- Finished fifth in the Big 12 averaging 5.42 defensive rebounds per game.
- The 169 free throws made ranks eighth and the 231 attempts ranks seventh on the Mizzou single season charts.
- One more on free throws ... attempted and made ten or more free throws in seven times including a career-best 17-of-19 free throws against Oklahoma in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
- Recorded 10 double-doubles on the season, which ranked fourth in the league, and gives him 13 double-doubles for his career.
- Scored 20 or more points in a game nine times and reached the 30-point plateau twice.
2003-04 - As a freshman ...
- 2003-04 Freshman All-America Team by Rivals.com.
- Played in 16 games before suffering a dislocated right shoulder against Colorado.
- Averaged 8.4 rebounds per game prior to the injury, which led the team.
- Recorded three double-doubles in his first four games as a Tiger.
- Reached double figures in scoring in nine of the 16 games he played in.
- Pulled down nine or more rebounds in 10 games this season.
- Was the Tigers' third leading scorer through the first 16 game of the season at 11.1 points per contest.
- Was a finalist for Big 12 Freshman of the Year
