Gundars Vētra

Gundars Vētra (born 22 May 1967) is a Latvian former professional basketball player and a current coach.

Gundars Vētra

Personal information
Born	(1967-05-22) 22 May 1967 (age 58) 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 a 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 a 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)
2017–2022	Arka Gdynia (women)
2021–2023	Latvia (women)
2023–2024	Tartu Ülikool
Career highlights
4x Russian Superleague champion (1996, 1998–2000) NEBL champion (2000)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  Soviet Union World Championships 1990 Argentina Team European Championships 1989 Yugoslavia Team European U-18 Championship 1986 Austria U-18 Team

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 appeared in 13 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 1992–1993 season.

Coaching career

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.

Personal life

Vētra has two daughters who played NCAA Division I college basketball. Laura played at Fairfield Stags from 2009 to 2013. Ruta was a guard at NJIT Highlanders from 2013 to 2017.

NBA career statistics

Legend

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

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
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

External links

• Gundars Vētra at basketball-reference.com