Alex Len Bio
Oleksii Yuriyovych Len, commonly known as Alex Len, is a Ukrainian professional basketball player who currently plays for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. A 7-foot center born on June 16, 1993, in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine, he spent twelve seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) before moving to European basketball. Len first drew national attention while playing two seasons for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected fifth overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. Throughout his career, he has suited up for multiple NBA franchises and earned recognition as one of the most accomplished Ukrainian players in league history.
Early Life and Background
Alex Len was born in the small city of Antratsyt in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, where he was raised by his mother, Yuliia, a former track athlete. He grew up in a household shaped by sport, and as a child he trained in gymnastics under coach Oleksii Stepanenko, who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi. He developed a love for watching Jackie Chan films during his early years, and his background in gymnastics helped build the agility and body control that would later benefit him on the basketball court.
Len started playing basketball at the age of 13, and his rapid growth and athleticism quickly separated him from his peers. He later attended Dnipro Higher College in Dnipro, Ukraine, where he polished his fundamentals and represented his country in youth international competition. He played for Ukraine at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where he finished as the fourth-best overall scorer, second-best rebounder, and best shot blocker of the tournament. Following that performance, he joined BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague for the 2010–11 season, helping the club capture the Ukrainian Cup that same year.
Path to Basketball
Len’s play in Ukrainian youth tournaments and with BC Dnipro attracted the attention of several American college programs, including the University of Maryland, where he was recruited by assistant coach Scott Spinelli. He accepted an athletic scholarship offer from former Maryland head coach Gary Williams, although Williams resigned before Len arrived on campus. New head coach Mark Turgeon, along with Spinelli, ultimately convinced Len to join the Terrapins, and he enrolled at Maryland for the 2011–12 season.
His freshman season was interrupted by a ten-game NCAA suspension tied to amateurism rules regarding his prior professional play in Ukraine, but he still flashed the skill set that had made him a top recruit. During his sophomore year, he opened the season with a standout performance against the Kentucky Wildcats, recording 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks while limiting Nerlens Noel. He later delivered a game-winning shot against the 14th-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack and helped Maryland upset the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. He averaged 11.9 points across 38 games, and on April 14, 2013, he declared for the NBA draft, where he was projected as a possible number one overall pick.
Alex Len Career
Early Career (2010–2013)
Len began his senior career with BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague during the 2010–11 season, where he played alongside older professionals despite his teenage years. The club won the 2011 Ukrainian Cup, giving Len his first major senior trophy and confirming his status as a rising prospect. His combination of size, shot blocking, and scoring touch drew attention from scouts across Europe and the United States.
After committing to the University of Maryland, Len transitioned to college basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He showed steady improvement in his two seasons, growing into a potential lottery pick by the end of his sophomore campaign. Undergoing left ankle surgery in May 2013 prevented him from joining any NBA Summer League that year, but he still entered the 2013 draft as one of the most talked-about big-man prospects in the class.
Phoenix Suns Breakthrough (2013–2018)
Len was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA draft, becoming the highest-drafted Ukrainian-born player in league history. He signed his rookie contract on August 29, 2013, but recurring ankle issues limited him early in his career. He made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013, against the Utah Jazz, and recorded his first 10-rebound game against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 29, 2014.
During the 2015–16 season, Len emerged as a reliable double-double threat, appearing in 78 games with 46 starts and recording 19 double-doubles. He set career highs with 31 points and 15 rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic on March 4, 2016, and strung together 10 consecutive games with double-digit rebounds. He later signed a one-year qualifying offer worth $4.2 million to remain with the Suns in 2017–18, finishing his Phoenix tenure as a developing rim protector and rebounder.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2018–2020)
On August 3, 2018, Len signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks to take on a larger role. He responded with some of the best basketball of his career, including a 28-point, five-three-pointer performance against the Chicago Bulls on March 3, 2019. Less than a month later, he set a new career high with 33 points, including six three-pointers, in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, 2019. He provided the Hawks with valuable scoring, rebounding, and floor spacing at the center position before being moved at the trade deadline in February 2020.
Sacramento Kings (2020)
On February 6, 2020, Len was traded to the Sacramento Kings as part of a deal that sent Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks. His time in Sacramento during the 2019–20 season was brief, but he gave the Kings another big body for the stretch run and postseason push.
Toronto Raptors (2020–2021)
Len signed with the Toronto Raptors on November 29, 2020, hoping to find a consistent role on a contending roster. He appeared in 13 regular-season games before being waived by the team on January 19, 2021, as the Raptors adjusted their frontcourt rotation.
Washington Wizards (2021)
On January 23, 2021, Len joined the Washington Wizards, where he found a more stable opportunity. In 57 appearances, including 40 starts, he averaged 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, serving as a veteran presence in the paint.
Second Stint with the Sacramento Kings (2021–2025)
Len returned to the Sacramento Kings on August 13, 2021, and spent the next four seasons in that organization. He recorded a season-high 18 points against the Denver Nuggets on January 7, 2022, and made 39 appearances during the 2021–22 campaign. His role gradually shifted to a backup center, and he contributed 48 appearances in 2023–24 before re-signing with the Kings on July 8, 2024. He wrapped up his second Kings run with 36 appearances in 2024–25.
Los Angeles Lakers (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Len was involved in a multi-team trade that sent him back to the Washington Wizards, and he was waived shortly after. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on February 11, 2025, appearing in 10 games with four starts and averaging 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds as a depth option down the stretch.
Real Madrid Era (2025–Present)
After being waived by the New York Knicks prior to the start of the 2025–26 NBA season, Len signed a multi-year contract with Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague on October 30, 2025. He made his team debut on November 7, 2025, in a 101–92 win over Barcelona in the EuroLeague, beginning a new chapter of his career in Spain.
Driving Style and Strengths
Len is a traditional center whose primary strengths include rebounding, rim protection, and developing perimeter shooting. Throughout his NBA career, he improved his three-point shot, ultimately making multiple three-pointers in several games, and he became a willing passer out of the post. His length, mobility, and willingness to defend in space made him a versatile defensive piece when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Len’s 2013 selection by the Phoenix Suns made him the highest-drafted Ukrainian-born player in NBA history, surpassing the mark set by Vitalii Potapenko in 1996. He posted career highs of 33 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists at various points, and he has represented Ukraine in multiple senior international competitions, including FIBA World Cup qualifiers. He also helped save two people from drowning in the Dominican Republic in April 2016, a story that made national headlines.
Alex Len Career Wins
Alex Len’s most notable team achievement is the 2011 Ukrainian Cup, won while playing for BC Dnipro as a teenager. He has not won an NBA championship or All-Star selection, but he has produced double-doubles, career-high scoring nights, and key contributions in playoff pushes with multiple franchises.
NBA Highlights
Len’s NBA highlight reel includes a 31-point, 15-rebound performance against the Orlando Magic on March 4, 2016, and a 33-point, six-three-pointer game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, 2019. He has posted double-doubles in the teens and twenties, including a 19-rebound effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 16, 2017. He also strung together 10 straight games with 10 or more rebounds during the 2015–16 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the NBA, Len won the 2011 Ukrainian Cup with BC Dnipro during his first professional season. He has represented Ukraine in multiple FIBA youth and senior competitions, including the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, and 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, where he served as the starting center.
Alex Len Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alex Len was raised primarily by his mother, Yuliia, who competed in track and field in her youth and later supported his athletic development. His Ukrainian roots and upbringing in Antratsyt shaped his path from gymnastics to basketball, and his early training under coach Oleksii Stepanenko connected him to a respected national sports lineage.
Personal Life
In December 2015, Len and his mother established the Len-d A Hand Foundation, a charitable effort designed to support youth programs in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. He is known to be a strong swimmer, an interest that proved critical in April 2016 when he helped rescue a friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic.
2025 Season Performance
Len began 2025 with the Sacramento Kings before being traded to the Washington Wizards and subsequently waived in early February. He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on February 11 and played in 10 games to close out his NBA career, providing frontcourt depth during the regular season. After spending training camp with the New York Knicks and being waived in October, he pivoted to European basketball.
On October 30, 2025, he signed a multi-year deal with Real Madrid, signaling a fresh start in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. He debuted on November 7, 2025, in a 101–92 EuroLeague win over Barcelona, an encouraging beginning to his tenure in Spain.
Looking ahead, Len is expected to serve as a veteran presence for Real Madrid in both the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. His combination of NBA experience, international background, and shot-blocking ability should give the club valuable depth in the paint. As the 2025–26 season continues, he will be looking to establish himself as a difference-maker on one of the most historic teams in European basketball.