“Big Z” achieved many records during his career. The Lithuanian center became the first Baltic player to play at least 800 games, score 10,000 points, grab 5,000 rebounds and block 1,000 shots in the world’s strongest league.
Ilgauskas was the first to average at least 13.0 points per game during his long NBA career. He surpassed the superstars of the 20th century, Šarūnas Marčulionis (12.8) and Arvīdas Sabonis (12.3), men who are much, much higher in the Lithuanian basketball pantheon.
For a long time, the bald man held the Cleveland Cavaliers record for the most games played – 771. Ilgauskas holds the first place in blocked shots (1249), offensive rebounds (2336) and earned personal notes (2591).
It is expected that Ilgausks will break many records of the Baltic countries in the near future. He is fast approaching – and is already ahead of him in several indicators – three new generation aspirants. Kristaps Porzingis and two tall Lithuanians – Jons Valančūns and Domants Sabonis.
Valančuns has surpassed Ilgauskas in terms of rebounds – 7706 vs. 6191. In the coming weeks, the Utena basketball player can overtake his compatriot in points – 10,921 vs. 10,976 – and at the end of the season, he can take the lead in terms of the number of games played (808 vs. 843).
Porzingis and Sabonis are also breathing more and more insistently on the back of the US citizen’s neck. Both are far superior in average points per game and, if all goes well, will overtake their experienced competitor in absolute numbers in the near future.
Six Baltic players averaged 12.0 or more points in their NBA career. Kristaps Porzingis is ahead of all Lithuanian stars in this indicator, currently averaging 19.6 points per game. This season, the man from Liepāja scores an average of 20.6 points.
There are two Latvians and eight Lithuanians in the top ten. Dāvis Bertāns takes the eighth position with an average of 7.7 points per game, while Andris Biedriņš has fallen to the 11th position.
Andris Biedriņš is still in the top four in terms of games played (516), rebounds won (3,631) and blocked shots (580). It would be ideal if two more compatriots join the 500 game club next season.
Lithuanians are well ahead in points scored and rebounds won, but there are three Latvians in the “Top 7” in blocked shots. Dāvis Bertāns was more sensitive in sending opponents “for milk” than Darjuša Songailus, Donātas Motejūnas and Lina Kleiza.
Latvians take first place in three-point shots. Dāvis Bertāns is in first place with 818 accurate hits, but Porzingis is only 39 shots behind.
