Benas Veikalas
Benas Veikalas (born 24 September 1983) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player. He can play both guard positions, but prefers the shooting guard position.
 Veikalas with BG Göttingen in 2016 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 24, 1983 Joniškis, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Lithuanian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Horizon (San Diego, California) |
| College | Metro State (2002–2004, 2006–2007) |
| NBA draft | 2007 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2007–2018 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Career history | |
| 2007–2009 | Nevėžis |
| 2009–2011 | Prostějov |
| 2011–2015 | Telekom Baskets Bonn |
| 2015–2016 | Sidigas Avellino |
| 2016–2017 | BG Göttingen |
Early career
Born in Joniškis, Veikalas moved to the United States at the age of 18 and played basketball at Horizon High School in San Diego, California. After high school, he was recruited by Mike Dunlap to play for Metropolitan State University of Denver, a NCAA Division II team. He led the team his senior year, averaging 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22 minutes per game.[1]
Professional career
Veikalas returned to Lithuania for his first season as a professional. He played for BC Nevėžis of LKL. After two successful seasons, he moved to Czech Republic and signed with BK Prostějov. With BK Prostějov, Veikalas led the team in scoring, played Euro- challenge, and the team finished runner up in the National Title games, 2 years in a row. After 2 seasons with BK Prostějov, In 2011, he joined Telekom Baskets Bonn. With Telekom Bonn, he led in scoring, was voted to the National All Star Team, was Voted to All Decade Legend team, made 3 appearances in the top 4 German national cup, played across Europe in the Euro-Cup, and was team captain. In 2013, Veikalas extended his contract with the team for two more seasons.[2] In 2015, and 4 years in Bonn, Veikalas signed with S.S. Scandone Veikalas played in the Euro-Cup, National Italian Top 4, and finished in the top 4 of National Playoffs. Veikalas returned to Germany to finish his career in 2016-2017. BG Goettingen Veikalas was offered an additional contract in Gottingen, however decided it was time to retire.
Personal life
Benas Veikalas is married to Stacey Sandlin-Veikalas and they have 3 children. Anthony Veikalas, Vincas Veikalas, & Amber Veikalas. After ten years as a professional basketball player, and relocating his family to 5 countries Veikalas hung up his playing shoes in the summer of 2017 to help coach his son. The family splits time between Las Vegas and Denver. His oldest son Anthony attends UNLV on an academic scholarship studying Forensic Anthropology. Middle son Vincas is currently attending Valley High School, in Las Vegas Nevada, playing basketball as a 4 year Varsity Player, & working toward following his dad footsteps of playing in college and going pro. Veikalas is also a licensed Realtor, who works with his wife, a licensed Mortgage Lender and Blogger as Team Veikalas.
References
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2013-10-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)