Gundars Vētra

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.

Gundars Vētra
Arka Gdynia
PositionHead coach
LeagueBLK
Personal information
Born (1967-05-22) May 22, 1967
Ventspils, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityLatvian
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
NBA draft1989 / Undrafted
Playing career1984–2002
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
Number2
Coaching career2002–present
Career history
As player:
1984–1986VEF Rīga
1986–1987Sverdlovsk SKA
1988–1992VEF Rīga
1992–1993Minnesota Timberwolves
1993–1994Ādaži Rīga
1994–1995Brocēni Rīga
1995–1996CSKA Moscow
1996–1997Galatasaray
1997–2000CSKA Moscow
2000–2002Fabriano Basket
As coach:
2002–2005Barons
2005–2006Ural Great (assistant)
2006–2007Barons
2007–2009CSKA Moscow (women)
2009–2011UMMC Ekaterinburg (women)
2011–2012Ventspils
2012–2013Spartak Primorye
2013–2014Spartak St. Petersburg
2014–2016Dynamo Kursk (women)
2017–presentArka Gdynia (women)
Career highlights and awards
  • 4x Russian Superleague champion (1996, 1998–2000)
  • NEBL champion (2000)
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing the  Soviet Union
World Championships
1990 ArgentinaTeam
European Championships
1989 YugoslaviaTeam
European U-18 Championship
1986 AustriaU-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 played one season for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992–1993.

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 2009-13. Ruta was a guard at NJIT Highlanders from 2013-17.

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 1306.8.4751.000.667.6.5.2.03.5
Career 1306.8.4751.000.667.6.5.2.03.5
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