Alex Len Bio
Oleksii Yuriyovych Len, commonly known as Alex Len, is a Ukrainian professional basketball player who most recently signed with Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. Standing 213 cm tall and weighing 113 kg, Len plays the center position and built a long NBA career before moving to European basketball. He was born on June 16, 1993, in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine.
Len first gained widespread attention after two seasons with the Maryland Terrapins of the Atlantic Coast Conference, leading to his selection fifth overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. Over twelve NBA seasons he appeared for several franchises and also represented Ukraine in international competition. In October 2025 he began a new chapter overseas with Real Madrid.
Early Life and Background
Alex Len was born in Antratsyt, a small city in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, and was raised primarily by his mother, Yuliia, who had competed in track and field earlier in her life. Growing up in Ukraine, he explored several sports, including gymnastics, and enjoyed watching Jackie Chan films as a young child. His early athletic training in gymnastics was led by coach Oleksii Stepanenko, who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi.
Len first picked up basketball at the age of 13, a late start by competitive standards, and quickly grew into a promising big man. He attended Dnipro Higher College in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine, where he continued to develop his game. His size and coordination made him a natural fit for the center position, and he soon attracted the attention of professional scouts in Europe.
Before reaching college basketball in the United States, Len represented Ukraine in age-group international competition. He played for the Ukraine national team at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, where he averaged 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. The following year he joined the Under-18 team at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, finishing as the fourth-best overall scorer, the second-best rebounder, and the top shot blocker of the tournament.
Path to Basketball
Following his strong showing with the Under-18 national team, Len joined BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague for the 2010–11 season, giving him his first taste of senior professional basketball. He helped Dnipro capture the Ukrainian Cup in 2011, an early trophy that reinforced his reputation as one of the most promising young centers in Europe. His play in Ukraine drew the interest of several NCAA programs, including the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech.
Len was recruited by Maryland assistant coach Scott Spinelli and ultimately committed to the Terrapins under head coach Gary Williams, who resigned after the 2010–11 season. New head coach Mark Turgeon, working with Spinelli, sealed the recruitment and brought Len to College Park. Because he had already played professionally with BC Dnipro, Len faced NCAA amateurism questions and served a ten-game suspension at the start of his freshman year.
Len averaged 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game during his freshman year, showing flashes of lottery-pick potential. As a sophomore he opened against top-ranked recruit Nerlens Noel and Kentucky at Barclays Center, recording 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He followed that with a game-winning shot against North Carolina State and a strong outing versus No. 1 Duke, finishing the season at 11.9 points per game across 38 games before declaring for the 2013 NBA draft.
Alex Len Career
Early Career (2010-2013)
Alex Len’s competitive senior career began with BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague in 2010. Playing as a teenager in a professional league, he gained valuable experience against grown men and earned a Ukrainian Cup championship in 2011. That early success helped validate his decision to leave his home country and pursue basketball in the United States.
After one season in Ukraine, Len moved to the University of Maryland, where he played two seasons for the Terrapins. Despite missing the first ten games of his freshman year due to NCAA eligibility issues, he showed the mobility and shot-blocking instincts that would define his professional profile. By the end of his sophomore season, multiple draft experts projected him as a potential top overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
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, surpassing the mark set by Vitalii Potapenko in 1996. He was also the first Suns player taken in the top five since Armen Gilliam in 1987. A stress fracture in his right ankle required surgery in July 2013, keeping him out of Summer League and delaying his debut, but he signed with the Suns in August and was cleared to practice by early September.
Len made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013, against the Utah Jazz, but injuries continued to interrupt his first two seasons. He suffered a re-injured left knee in November 2013 and a fractured right pinkie finger on consecutive occasions in 2014. Despite the setbacks, he recorded his first career double-double on October 31, 2014, with 10 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, and later set a then-career high of 19 points against the Boston Celtics.
The 2015–16 season marked Len’s clearest breakthrough. He opened with a career-high 20 points and 14 rebounds against the Orlando Magic on December 9, 2015, and later exploded for 31 points and 15 rebounds against the same team on March 4, 2016. He appeared in 78 games with 46 starts, finishing with 19 double-doubles and career-best averages of 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. After becoming a restricted free agent, he returned to Phoenix on a one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer in September 2017 and continued to post double-doubles, including a career-high 19 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves in December 2017.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2018-2020)
On August 3, 2018, Alex Len signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks, ending his five-year run in Phoenix. In Atlanta he stepped into a larger offensive role and posted several of the most productive scoring nights of his career. On December 23, 2018, he recorded 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–95 win over the Detroit Pistons, signaling his rebounding strength.
Len’s scoring peaked in the spring of 2019. He scored a then season-high 28 points with a career-high five three-pointers in a win over the Chicago Bulls on March 3, 2019. A month later, on April 7, 2019, he set a new career high with 33 points, including six made three-pointers, in a narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. His perimeter shooting and rebounding helped solidify his value as a stretch center before he was traded to the Sacramento Kings on February 6, 2020, as part of a deal that sent Dewayne Dedmon to Atlanta.
Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards (2020-2021)
Len’s time with the Sacramento Kings during the 2019–20 season was brief, and on November 29, 2020, he signed with the Toronto Raptors. He appeared in 13 regular-season games for Toronto before being waived on January 19, 2021. Less than a week later, on January 23, 2021, he signed with the Washington Wizards, where he found a more consistent role.
In 57 appearances with 40 starts for Washington, Len averaged 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, serving as a reliable backup center. He provided interior defense and veteran stability during the Wizards’ playoff push. That summer he signed with the Sacramento Kings on August 13, 2021, beginning his second stint with the franchise.
Second Stint with Kings (2021-2025)
Alex Len returned to the Sacramento Kings in August 2021 and remained with the organization for four seasons. In 2021–22 he made 39 appearances with 10 starts, averaging 6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, and recorded a season-high 18 points against the Denver Nuggets on January 7, 2022. His role diminished in 2022–23, when he played 26 games and averaged 1.7 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Len saw a slight uptick in 2023–24, appearing in 48 games with averages of 2.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He re-signed with the Kings on July 8, 2024, and played 36 games during the 2024–25 campaign, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. On February 6, 2025, he was traded to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal, was waived on February 11, and quickly signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he made 10 appearances and averaged 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Real Madrid Era (2025-Present)
On September 16, 2025, Alex Len signed an Exhibit 9 contract with the New York Knicks but was waived prior to the start of the regular season on October 18, 2025. Twelve days later, on October 30, 2025, he signed a multi-year contract with Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, beginning a new chapter in his career.
Len made his Real Madrid debut on November 7, 2025, helping the team to a 101–92 win over Barcelona in the EuroLeague. The move marked his return to top-level European basketball after more than a decade in the NBA. His combination of size, rebounding, and outside shooting gives Real Madrid another experienced option in the frontcourt.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alex Len is a traditional center whose game has expanded to include a reliable outside shot, especially from beyond the arc. He excels as a rebounder on both ends of the floor and is an effective rim protector, using his 213 cm frame and long wingspan to contest shots. He has also shown the ability to step out and hit three-pointers, particularly during his time with the Atlanta Hawks, when he made five threes against the Bulls and six against the Bucks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Len’s most notable professional milestones include being selected fifth overall in the 2013 NBA draft, the highest pick for a Ukrainian-born player in league history, and playing twelve seasons in the NBA. He recorded a career-high 33 points with six made three-pointers against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, 2019, and set a career high with 19 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves in December 2017. He also helped Dnipro win the Ukrainian Cup in 2011 and represented Ukraine in FIBA World Cup qualifiers beginning in 2018.
Alex Len Career Wins
Across his professional career, Alex Len has collected a modest but meaningful trophy case. His earliest championship came in Ukraine, and he has since established himself as a durable NBA center whose rebounding and rim protection have shaped winning lineups in Phoenix, Atlanta, and Washington.
NBA and Pro Highlights
Alex Len’s NBA career highlights include a 2015–16 season in which he started 46 games for the Phoenix Suns, recording 19 double-doubles and averaging a career-best 9.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 33 points for the Atlanta Hawks on April 7, 2019, and posted multiple 20-rebound games, including an 18-rebound effort against the Boston Bulls in November 2017 and a 19-rebound performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves later that December.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his move to the NBA, Len helped BC Dnipro capture the Ukrainian Cup in 2011 during his lone season in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. He has also been a key contributor for the Ukraine national team, helping the senior squad compete in FIBA World Cup qualifiers starting in 2018 and serving as a starting center in subsequent international tournaments.
Alex Len Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alex Len was raised primarily by his mother, Yuliia, who ran track earlier in her life and supported his athletic development in Ukraine. His early gymnastics training under coach Oleksii Stepanenko, who also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi, gave him a strong athletic foundation. Len’s path from a small town in eastern Ukraine to the NBA reflects the influence of his mother and his early coaches.
Personal Life
In December 2015, Alex Len and his mother, Yuliia, created the Len-d A Hand Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping youth in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding communities. Len is also known for being a strong swimmer. On April 25, 2016, he helped save his friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic, demonstrating the calm and courage that have marked his life off the court.
2025 Season Performance
Alex Len’s 2025 season was defined by constant movement between teams. He began the year with the Sacramento Kings, where he made 36 appearances with three starts and averaged 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. On February 6, 2025, he was traded to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal, was waived five days later, and quickly signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he posted 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10 games.
After the Lakers’ season ended, Len signed an Exhibit 9 contract with the New York Knicks on September 16, 2025, but was waived before the regular season began on October 18. Twelve days later he joined Real Madrid, opening a new chapter in his career. His Real Madrid debut on November 7, 2025, ended in a 101–92 EuroLeague win over Barcelona, providing an early sign that his international transition was off to a strong start.
Looking ahead, Len is expected to serve as an experienced interior presence for Real Madrid in both the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. His combination of size, rebounding, and stretch-shooting ability gives the Spanish club flexibility in its frontcourt rotations. With his NBA experience and renewed energy in Europe, Len enters the 2025–26 campaign as a trusted veteran option for one of the continent’s most decorated programs.