The Los Angeles Lakers signed Ukrainian center Alex Len on Tuesday, February 12, according to Reuters. Los Angeles had attempted to acquire a center before the February 6 trade deadline but later rescinded a deal for the Hornets' center Mark Williams after he failed a physical.
Len, 31, began the season with the Sacramento Kings, appearing in 36 games (three starts) and averaging 1.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 7.2 minutes per game.
At the trade deadline, he was included in a three-team transaction that sent him from Sacramento to the Washington Wizards.
Svi Mykhailiuk, one of two active Ukrainian NBA players, with some custom shoes that read “Stand With Ukraine” pic.twitter.com/0AjivC4UfP
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) June 14, 2024
As part of the deal, the Memphis Grizzlies moved Marcus Smart to Washington, while the Wizards sent Marvin Bagley and Johnny Davis to Memphis. Washington later waived Len, making him available for the Lakers' acquisition.
A veteran of 680 career games (240 starts), Len has played for the Phoenix Suns (2013-18), Atlanta Hawks (2018-20), Kings (2020, 2021-25), Toronto Raptors (2020-21), and Wizards (2021).
He holds career averages of 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 17.1 minutes per game. The Suns originally selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Kate Koval, another Ukrainian basketball player, is a key freshman forward for the University of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team, competing for a national championship.
