Zydrunas Ilgauskas Draft
Big Z: Cavaliers' all-time blocks leader and two-time All-Star.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (born June 5, 1975) is a Lithuanian-born American former professional basketball player who played the center position. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1997 to 2010 and for the Miami Heat during the 2010–11 season. He was named to the 1997–98 All-Rookie First Team and is a two-time NBA All-Star.
- Role
- Center
- Draft Year
- 1996
- Draft Position
- 20th Overall
- Nationality
- Lithuanian-born American
- Status
- Retired Legend
- Primary Team
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ilgauskas was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. He spent the entire 1996–97 season on the injured list due to a broken bone in his right foot, so his NBA debut came in the 1997–98 season. He played in the 2007 NBA Finals as a member of the Cavaliers and is the Cavaliers' career leader in blocked shots. His jersey no. 11 has been retired by the team.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of Big Z's career is punctuated by dramatic returns and emotional milestones. On December 2, 2009, Ilgauskas came off the bench against the Phoenix Suns to break the Cavaliers' team record for career games played, overtaking then-general manager Danny Ferry. His connection to the fanbase was undeniable; when he returned to Cleveland on March 24, 2010, after a brief trade to Washington and buyout, Quicken Loans Arena was affectionately renamed "The Z" in his honor. In that first home game back against the Sacramento Kings, he received huge ovations from the crowd. Although the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals that year, with Ilgauskas playing a reduced role, his legacy remained secure. On March 8, 2014, the franchise retired his jersey number 11, making him only the third European player to receive such an honor from an NBA team.
Reader's Guide
Ilgauskas is known for his accurate jump shot, rebounding, and overcoming difficult injury challenges. He was nicknamed Big Z. After retiring, he joined the Cavaliers' front office in 2012 as a special advisor.
Did You Know?
- Ilgauskas played in the Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in 1997–98, but the MVP award was given to Kobe Bryant, not Ilgauskas.
- He signed a contract extension in 1999 worth $70.9 million over six years.
- Ilgauskas broke the Cavaliers' record for career games played on December 2, 2009.
- He was traded to the Washington Wizards in February 2010 but never played for them, as his contract was bought out.
- Ilgauskas signed with the Miami Heat in July 2010 and played in the 2011 NBA Finals.
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