The Boston Celtics made one of the most noteworthy trades of the offseason in late June when they landed All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 7-foot-3 “Unicorn” has the potential to give the Celtics a substantial boost on both ends of the court and hopes to be the missing piece to their championship puzzle.
Porzingis is currently recovering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot and is expected to be fully healthy by the start of training camp. In the meantime, let’s get to know Boston’s new frontcourt addition with these five facts:
- Porzingis began his professional career at age 16 with Sevilla of Spain’s Liga ACB. Three years later in 2015, he was named the EuroCup Basketball Rising Star, making him the youngest player ever to win the award at 19 years old.
- Porzingis’ older brother Janis played professionally from 2000-2013. After officially retiring in 2015, Janis became Kristaps’ agent. Their father also played semi-pro basketball and their mother played on the Latvia women’s youth national team.
- Porzingis is one of seven Latvia natives to play in an NBA game. The only other Latvian currently playing in the NBA Is Davis Bertans of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ironically, Bertans was dealt at the 2022 trade deadline from Washington to Dallas as part of an exchange package for Porzingis.
- At 7-foot-3, Porzingis is the third-tallest active NBA player behind Boban Marjanovic (7-foot-4), and Victor Wembanyama (7-foot-4). Porzingis’ teammate, Luke Kornet, is the tallest active American NBA player at 7-foot-2.
- Porzingis earned his “Unicorn” nickname from Kevin Durant. KD said in 2016 of the Knicks rookie: “He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he’s a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the 3-point line. That’s rare. And block shots – that’s like a unicorn in this league.” This means the Celtics now have two unicorns on their roster: Porzingis and Luke Uni-Kornet.