Gundars Vētra (born May 22, 1967) is a Latvian former professional basketball player and a current coach. He most recently served as a head coach of Spartak St. Petersburg.
Arka Gdynia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Head coach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
League | BLK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1967-05-22) May 22, 1967 (age 55) Ventspils, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Latvian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 218 lb (99 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 1989 / Undrafted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1984–2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Shooting guard / Small forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching career | 2002–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As player: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1984–1986 | VEF Rīga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1986–1987 | Rīgas ASK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1987–1992 | VEF Rīga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992–1993 | Minnesota Timberwolves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1993–1994 | Ādaži Rīga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994–1995 | Brocēni Rīga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995–1996 | CSKA Moscow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996–1997 | Galatasaray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1997–2000 | CSKA Moscow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000–2002 | Fabriano Basket | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2002–2005 | Barons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005–2006 | Ural Great (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006–2007 | Barons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007–2009 | CSKA Moscow (women) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009–2011 | UMMC Ekaterinburg (women) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011–2012 | Ventspils | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012–2013 | Spartak Primorye | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013–2014 | Spartak St. Petersburg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014–2016 | Dynamo Kursk (women) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–present | Arka Gdynia (women) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stats ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stats ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he played at the shooting guard and small forward positions. He was the first Latvian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992–1993.
After finishing his playing career, Vētra became a coach. He first started as head coach of Barons, leading them to their first ever LBL finals appearance in 2005. For the 2005-06 season he was an assistant to Sharon Drucker with Ural Great. Following a season in Russia, Vētra returned to Latvia, where he re-united with Barons. His second stint with Barons wasn't as good as expected, and Vētra left them to try his hand in women's basketball. After four seasons in Russia he went back to Latvia, joining BK Ventspils, where his team made the Latvian League finals.
Vētra has two daughters who played NCAA Division I college basketball. Laura played at Fairfield Stags from 2009-13. Ruta was a guard at NJIT Highlanders from 2013-17.
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
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1992–93 | Minnesota | 13 | 0 | 6.8 | .475 | 1.000 | .667 | .6 | .5 | .2 | .0 | 3.5 |
Career | 13 | 0 | 6.8 | .475 | 1.000 | .667 | .6 | .5 | .2 | .0 | 3.5 |
Soviet Union squad – EuroBasket 1989 – Bronze medal | ||
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Soviet Union squad – 1990 FIBA World Championship – Silver medal | ||
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Unified Team squad – 1992 Summer Olympics – 4th place | ||
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General |
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National libraries |