Latvian · Liepāja, Latvia · Born 2 August 1995Unicorn Latvian big man whose shot-blocking and three-point shooting make him one of the most unique and dynamic centers in the modern NBA.
Kristaps Porziņģis was born on 2 August 1995 in Liepāja, Latvia, into a basketball family: his father, Tālis, stood 6 feet 4 inches and played semi-professionally before becoming a bus driver, his mother, Ingrida, played on Latvia's youth national teams, and his oldest brother, Jānis, enjoyed a 14-year professional career across 15 different European clubs. Porziņģis played youth basketball with BK Liepājas Lauvas until age 15, and turned professional with Spanish club Cajasol Sevilla before the New York Knicks selected him fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, becoming just the third Latvian-born player in league history. Nicknamed "The Unicorn" by Kevin Durant for his rare combination of 7-foot-3 size, perimeter shooting, and shot-blocking ability, Porziņģis developed into one of the league's most unique offensive weapons, though his career has been frequently interrupted by significant injuries. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019, then to the Washington Wizards in 2022, before joining the Boston Celtics in 2023. Porziņģis won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2024, becoming the first Latvian-born player to win an NBA title, before moving to the Atlanta Hawks and then the Golden State Warriors, continuing his career as one of the most statistically unusual big men of his generation.
7'3" versatile big man who can shoot threes and block shots
He is arguably the best shot-blocking three-point shooter in NBA history — a 7ft 3in center who routinely drains pull-up threes while also averaging over two blocks per game when healthy.
Did You Know?How They Played
Stretch big man with elite shot-blocking and perimeter shooting
Lasting Impact
First Latvian NBA champion, revolutionized center position
Career Honours
- NBA Champion 2024
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 2015–2019 | 186 | #6 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 2019–2023 | 641 | #6 |
| CB Sevilla | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| Boston Celtics | 2023–2024 | 57 | — |
Latvian Athletes