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. Born on June 16, 1993, in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine, Len played two seasons for the Maryland Terrapins before entering the 2013 NBA Draft. The Phoenix Suns selected him with the fifth overall pick, making him the highest-selected Ukrainian-born player in NBA history. Throughout his career, Len has established himself as a reliable center, contributing to multiple NBA franchises and now continuing his professional journey in European basketball.
Early Life and Background
Alex Len was born in Antratsyt, Luhansk, Ukraine, to his mother Yuliia, who ran track early in her life. Growing up, Len participated in gymnastics and trained under Oleksii Stepanenko, who had also trained Olympic gold medalist Ihor Korobchynskyi. Len began playing basketball at the age of 13. He attended Dnipro Higher College in Dnipro, Ukraine, where he developed his skills before joining the youth national team system.
Len represented Ukraine at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. His performance at the 2010 tournament was particularly impressive, as he finished as the fourth-best overall scorer, second-best rebounder, and best shot blocker in the competition. Following the tournament, Len joined BC Dnipro of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague for the 2010-11 season, which helped him catch the attention of college scouts internationally.
College Career at Maryland
Len was recruited by Maryland assistant coach Scott Spinelli and received an athletic scholarship from coach Gary Williams. When Williams resigned after the 2010-11 season, new coach Mark Turgeon and Spinelli continued to develop Len’s potential. During his freshman year, Len averaged 6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game despite serving a ten-game suspension at the beginning of the year due to NCAA amateurism issues stemming from his play with BC Dnipro.
Len showed significant improvement during his sophomore season. On November 9, 2012, he delivered a standout performance against Kentucky, scoring 23 points with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks while holding rival Nerlens Noel to just four points. On January 16, 2013, Len hit a game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds remaining to upset number 14 North Carolina State. He also played a key role in Maryland’s victory over top-ranked Duke on February 16, 2013, recording 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Len declared for the 2013 NBA Draft on April 14, 2013, after averaging 11.9 points per game in 38 games that season.
Alex Len Career
Phoenix Suns (2013-2018)
Len was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 NBA Draft, becoming the highest-selected Ukrainian-born player in NBA history. Due to ankle surgeries, he did not participate in the 2013 NBA Summer League. He signed with the Suns on August 29, 2013, and made his NBA debut on November 1, 2013, against the Utah Jazz. During his rookie season, injuries limited his appearances, but he recorded his first 10-rebound game on January 29, 2014.
The 2015-16 season marked Len’s breakthrough. He appeared in 78 games with 46 starts, recording career highs of 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. On March 4, 2016, he scored a career-high 31 points with 15 rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic. He finished that season with 19 double-doubles. During the 2016-17 season, Len continued to develop, recording 23 points and 13 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs in February 2017. He became a restricted free agent after the season and signed a one-year, $4.2 million contract to remain with Phoenix.
Atlanta Hawks (2018-2020)
On August 3, 2018, Len signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. He made his Hawks debut on December 23, 2018, recording 15 points and 17 rebounds in a win over the Detroit Pistons. On March 3, 2019, he scored 28 points with a career-high five 3-pointers against the Chicago Bulls. Len recorded a career-high 33 points on April 7, 2019, including a career-best six 3-pointers, in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors (2020-2021)
On February 6, 2020, Len was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks. He appeared in a limited number of games due to the shortened season. On November 29, 2020, Len signed with the Toronto Raptors. He was waived on January 19, 2021, after 13 regular season games. On January 23, 2021, he signed with the Washington Wizards, where he appeared in 57 games with 40 starts, averaging 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Second Stint with Sacramento Kings (2021-2025)
On August 13, 2021, Len returned to the Sacramento Kings. During the 2021-22 season, he recorded a season-high 18 points alongside ten rebounds on January 7, 2022, against the Denver Nuggets. He appeared in 39 games, averaging 6.0 points and 4.1 rebounds. His role diminished in subsequent seasons, appearing in 26 games during 2022-23 with averages of 1.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, and 48 games in 2023-24, averaging 2.5 points and 2.7 rebounds. On July 8, 2024, Len re-signed with the Kings. During the 2024-25 season, he made 36 appearances with three starts, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers and Recent Moves (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Len was traded back to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal. He was waived by the Wizards on February 11 and subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He made 10 appearances with four starts for Los Angeles, averaging 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds. On September 16, 2025, 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.
Real Madrid (2025-Present)
On October 30, 2025, Len signed a multi-year contract with Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. On November 7, 2025, he made his team debut in a EuroLeague victory against Barcelona. This move marks Len’s transition to European basketball, where he continues his professional career representing Ukraine while competing against top international competition.
Alex Len International Career
Len has represented Ukraine throughout his career at various age levels. Beyond his youth national team appearances, he joined the senior Ukraine national basketball team in August 2018 for the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Throughout the qualifiers, he averaged approximately 10.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game as the team’s starting center. His presence proved valuable in Ukraine’s competitive performances to qualify for international tournaments, and he has continued representing his country in subsequent competitions.
Alex Len Philanthropy and Personal Life
In December 2015, Len and his mother Yuliia established the Len-d A Hand Foundation, a charity focused on supporting youth in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. Beyond basketball, Len is known for his swimming ability. On April 25, 2016, he helped save his friend and a lifeguard from drowning at a beach in the Dominican Republic, demonstrating his character and athleticism outside of basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition for Alex Len. Early in the year, he was involved in multiple roster moves across the NBA. After his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, he signed with the New York Knicks before ultimately joining Real Madrid in October 2025. His debut for Real Madrid came against Barcelona in EuroLeague play, marking his entry into European professional basketball. This move to Spain represents a new chapter in his career as he continues competing at a high level internationally while representing Ukraine.