Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a former professional basketball player from Lithuania who was born in the United States.
Ilgauskas was a member of the National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers from 1997 to 2010 and the Miami Heat during the 2010-11 season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1997-1998 and is a two-time All-Star. Ilgauskas was a member of the Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals.
He was known for his accurate jump shot, rebounding, and overcoming complex injury challenges during his career. Ilgauskas, nicknamed Big Z, is the Cavaliers’ career leader in blocked shots; his jersey number 11 has been retired by the team.
Ilgauskas joined the Cavaliers’ front office in 2012, becoming a special advisor to the team.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas And His Wife Have Adopted Two Children
Zydrunas’s wife became pregnant with twins in 2007, but the couple later lost twins babies due to pregnancy complications that caused the infants to be born four months premature.
Later, the basketball player and his wife adopted the two children, aged four and five, from an orphanage in his hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania.
The two children, Povilas and Deividas, do not speak English and are adjusting to life in the United States. Being a father, Ilgauskas says, has given him a new appreciation for some of his teammates who have families.
According to the basketball player, he became a father almost immediately. He also stated that since the arrival of the children, he has not slept much and is enjoying his children. He, too, felt challenged at the time, but he described it as a fantastic experience.
Furthermore, Zydrunas is happy with his two children and has stated that they complete his family.
What Happened To Basketball Player Wife, Jennifer Ilgauskas?
Jennifer, the wife of former Cleveland Cavalier Zydrunas Ilgauskas, passed away at 50. Jennifer was the owner of several businesses in Northeast Ohio, including Rebound Physical Therapy, North Olmsted Urgent Care, Lakewood Urgent Care, and Darbo, a medical billing firm.
She was enthusiastic about the charitable organizations she supported. Many people were touched by her acts of kindness, but few realized the breadth of her charitable work. Jennifer and Zydrunas married in the early 2000s and were married for nearly two decades.
Prayers and tributes for Jennifer’s family began to arrive almost immediately after the news of her passing broke. Cavaliers reporter Tom Withers expressed his sadness upon hearing the Jennifer news, and he also sent his condolences to her family and many friends.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas Net Worth 2022 & Earning
Ilgauskas has a net worth of $55 million as a former professional basketball player in the United States. Previously, Zydrunas signed a two-year, $2,751,688 contract with the Miami Heat, with $2,751,688 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $1,375,844.
The basketball player made his national team debut in 1994 when Lithuania attempted to qualify for the EuroBasket 1995. He had a 7.7-point and seven rebound average per game. In 2007, they advanced to the NBA Finals, and in 2009, they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers acquired Shaquille O’Neal in the summer of 2009.
However, in September 2011, Zydrunas announced his retirement from basketball, citing long-term personal physical fatigue and basic bodily wear-and-tear as reasons for his decision.
As of 2022, the basketball player had amassed a sizable fortune from his lengthy career. He is currently living his extravagant lifestyle with his family and loved ones.
