Dairis Bertāns Announces Retirement from Basketball
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Dairis Bertāns Retires: A Look Back at a Latvian Basketball Career
What Happened?
Latvian basketball player Dairis Bertāns, aged 34, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. The announcement,made public on February 29,2024,marks the end of a career spanning over a decade,highlighted by his contributions to the Latvian national team and stints in several European leagues.bertāns cited emotional reasons for his decision, expressing a deep connection to representing his country.
Career Highlights & Key Stats
Bertāns began his professional career with ASK Riga in Latvia, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent. He then moved to Spain, playing for clubs like Bilbao Basket and Tenerife. His versatility as a guard,capable of scoring,passing,and defending,made him a valuable asset to every team he joined. He was a crucial part of Latvia’s accomplished runs in international competitions, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup where Latvia finished fifth.
| Season | team | League | Games Played | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | ASK Riga | Latvian League | 24 | 8.2 | 3.1 |
| 2011-2013 | bilbao Basket | ACB (Spain) | 58 | 6.5 | 1.8 |
| 2013-2015 | CB gran Canaria | ACB (Spain) | 62 | 9.3 | 2.5 |
| 2015-2017 | MoraBanc Andorra | ACB (Spain) | 68 | 11.7 | 3.2 |
| 2017-2023 | Lenovo Tenerife | ACB (Spain) | 210 | 10.1 | 2.8 |
Impact on Latvian Basketball
Dairis Bertāns is considered a significant figure in the recent rise of Latvian basketball. His dedication to the national team, coupled with his consistent performance, inspired a new generation of players. The 2023 FIBA World Cup performance, where Latvia exceeded expectations, was largely attributed to the leadership and experience of players like Bertāns. His brother,Dāvis Bertāns,also plays professionally and has contributed to Latvia’s success.