Linas Kleiza
A Lithuanian scoring machine who conquered European basketball before applying his sharp mind to the front office of his hometown club.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Lithuanian basketball executive·Birthday: January 3·Millennials
Biography
Linas Kleiza's journey is a transatlantic basketball tale defined by a scorer's instinct. The Lithuanian forward first caught attention at the University of Missouri before finding his true calling in Europe. His peak came with Olympiacos, where in 2010 he unleashed one of the most explosive individual seasons in EuroLeague history, claiming the Top Scorer trophy and First Team honors. A stint with the NBA's Toronto Raptors proved he could compete at the highest level, but his heart remained in European club basketball. After retiring, Kleiza didn't stray far from the game. He moved into management, eventually becoming the General Manager of Žalgiris Kaunas, where he now uses his experienced eye to build competitive teams for the club he once represented as a player.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Linas was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Linas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Linas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy and was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2010 with Olympiacos.
- Represented the Lithuanian national team in multiple EuroBasket tournaments and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Served as the General Manager of the historic Lithuanian basketball club Žalgiris Kaunas.
Did You Know?
He scored a career-high 41 points in a game for the Toronto Raptors against the Utah Jazz in 2012.
Kleiza played college basketball in the United States for the Missouri Tigers.
He won the Greek Cup and the Greek League championship with Olympiacos in 2010.
“When you have a hot hand, you shoot until they stop you.”
