Did Janis Timma Play in the NBA? All About Late Latvian Star’s Basketball Resume
Tragic news broke in Moscow this morning. Latvian small forward Janis Timma was found dead, with an initial investigation declaring his death to be accidental. The 32-year-old had travelled to Russia, a move that has caused considerable controversy given the international tensions.
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Prior to the move, Timma played professional basketball across several other countries. It included stints in the Euroleague with Olympiacos and Khimki Moscow. These moves were preceded by several appearances in the minor basketball leagues in Latvia before Janis Timma transitioned into becoming a seasoned international player.
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He was also a frequent in the Latvian national team, most recently playing during the qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. With such vast experience, the door toward potentially becoming an NBA player also opened up. However, was Timma ever able to secure a spot on an active NBA roster? Let’s look at his brief history with the biggest basketball league on the planet.
Did Janis Timma ever play in the NBA?
Just like any international talent bursting on the scene, Janis Timma impressed with his strong physicality and scoring acumen. In 2013, the Latvian forward declared for the NBA draft. The Memphis Grizzlies ended up selecting him with the last pick in the second round. However, he would only feature in the Summer League thereon.
Timma never recorded a regular season appearance in the NBA. He spent his first two years in Memphis only appearing in the Summer League, totaling eight games. Later, the Grizzlies traded his draft rights over to the Orlando Magic, which led to him making a return to the USA after seven seasons playing overseas.
He played five games during the Las Vegas Summer League in 2022, averaging 7 points while shooting 38.5% from three. Later, he would play out the season with the Lakeland Magic, the G-League affiliate. Participating in 20 games for Magic’s G-League side, Janis Timma started in three games averaging 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds.
He was primarily deployed as a shooting wing, with five of his six field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc. In that time his appearance became a major talking point. At 29, his blonde hair and tattooed look became a major hit among fans. Unable to crack into the main roster, the 32-year-old decided to move on from a potential NBA opportunity. Timma played across various countries, including Puerto Rico and Turkey before his eventual decision to play basketball in Moscow this year.
