Rubén Oscar Wolkowyski (born September 30, 1973) is an Argentine former professional basketball player, who also holds Polish citizenship.[1] At a height of 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) tall, he played at the power forward and center positions.[2]

Rubén Wolkowyski
Personal information
Born (1973-09-30) September 30, 1973 (age 51)
Castelli, Chaco, Argentina
NationalityArgentina citizen (birth), Poland citizen[when?]
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
NBA draft1995: undrafted
Playing career1994–2015
PositionCenter
Number45
Career history
1994–1996Estudiantes de Olavarría
1996–1997Quilmes Mar del Plata
1997–1999Boca Juniors
1999–2000Estudiantes de Olavarría
2000–2001Seattle SuperSonics
2001–2002Quilmes Mar del Plata
2002CSKA Moscow
2002Boston Celtics
2003TAU Cerámica
2003–2004Olympiacos
2004–2007Khimki Moscow
2007Prokom Trefl Sopot
2007–2008Legea Scafati
2008–2009Club Biguá
2009Atléticos de San Germán
2009–2011Libertad de Sunchales
2011–2013La Unión de Formosa
2013–2014Sarmiento de Resistencia
2014–2015Quilmes Mar del Plata
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Argentina
FIBA World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2002 USA
Summer Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place 2001 Neuquén
Silver medal – second place 2003 San Juan
Silver medal – second place 1995 Neuquén
Bronze medal – third place 1993 San Juan
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1995 Mar del Plata

Professional career

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Wolkowyski played professionally in Argentina, the United States, Russia, Poland, Spain, and Greece. In 2000, he and Pepe Sánchez became the first Argentines to play in the NBA regular season. Wolkowyski played a total of 41 NBA games and averaged 2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. His final game being on Christmas of 2002 in a 81 - 117 loss to the New Jersey Nets where he recorded 1 assist, 1 turnover and no other stats in 6 and half minutes of playing time.

On September 29, 2010, Wolkowyski scored 45 points for Libertad de Sunchales in a 118–115 victory over Obras Sanitarias, for the Copa Argentina title.[3] The winner of the game was decided after 4 over-times.[3]

National team career

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Wolkowyski defended Argentina to claim the inaugural gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in the defeat in the final of the United States, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. He defended Argentina in the win at the 2001 Tournament of the Americas, and at the 2003 FIBA Americas Championships, the 2002 and 2006 FIBA World Championships, and for the gold medal at the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympics.

Personal life

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He played in Russia as a European player, rather than as an Argentine, after Wolkowyski obtained Polish citizenship. through his Warsaw-born grandfather, Anatol, who left Poland before World War II, to Argentina via Paraguay. His family spoke Polish at home, but he does not know the language and communicates only in Spanish and English.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Euroleague.net Player Profile
  2. ^ Ruben Wolkowyski. Latin-Basket
  3. ^ a b "Un partido para la historia". Cancha Llena (in Spanish). September 29, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  4. ^ Chcę się nauczyć polskiego (in Polish)
  5. ^ Rozmowa z Rubenem Wołkowyskim (in Polish)
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