Nik Stauskas

BIOGRAPHY

Born on October 7, 1993, Nikolas Tomas Stauskas is a prominent Canadian professional basketball player. His most recent affiliation in the National Basketball Association (NBA) was with the Boston Celtics. He is a shooting guard who has made a significant impact in the sport, having been drafted as the eighth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

Stauskas has Lithuanian heritage and represents Canada on the national team. His journey in the world of basketball started at the University of Michigan where he played college basketball for the Wolverines from 2012 to 2014.

As a freshman in the 2012-13 Michigan Wolverines, Stauskas showed off his talent in full bloom, leading to multiple accolades. He was named Sports Illustrated National Freshman of the Week once, Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week three times, and ranked on the United States Basketball Writers Association’s National Freshman of the Year. In the 2013 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, he also earned South All-Regional Team recognition.

Stauskas continued to impress in his sophomore year in the 2013–14 team. He was named a 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball consensus All-American and was recognized as the Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. As of 2022, Stauskas had managed to reach the NBA Finals alongside the Celtics.

Stauskas was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. His first basketball experience came as a member of the Aušra Sports Club – a Toronto-based traveling team for children of Lithuanian descent. With an evident devotion to the sport, his Michigan head coach, John Beilein, notably remarked in 2013 that, apart from basketball, Stauskas had little knowledge of or interest in other sports.

Prior to 2009, Stauskas played for Loyola Catholic Secondary School, developing his playing skills and proving his athletic worth. He also joined the premier Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team in Toronto, run by Ro Russell.

In high school, Stauskas faced a hiccup when a hip injury led him to miss the 2009–10 basketball season. Nevertheless, he dusted himself off and returned stronger, catching the eye of Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball head coach John Beilein.

Stauskas established himself as a consistent performer during both his senior year and the 2011–12 Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball season. This consistency bore fruits when he was chosen as one of the top 25 three-point shooters in the national class of 2012. It was this recognition that made him the second member of Michigan’s recruiting class of 2012.

During his time at Michigan, Stauskas showcased his exceptional talent through his extraordinary performances in the 2012–13 Big Ten Conference, effectively leading the nation in three-point field goal percentage at one point. His accolades continued to grow as he was named the surprise player of the first half of the year by Sporting News and made the Wayman Tisdale Award top 12 midseason list.

Stauskas left a lasting legacy at Michigan, smashing Tim Hardaway Jr.’s two-year-old record for making the most three-point shots as a freshman. His work ethic, determination, and consistency cemented his position in the hearts of his teammates and fans.

Stauskas’ performance in the off-season underlined his commitment to the sport as he worked to increase his physical fitness and improve his vertical jump. This hard work paid off as he maintained stellar performances, earning multiple MVP honors and maintaining a high scoring rate.

Stauskas also demonstrated his adaptability, stepping outside of his usual scorer role to assist his teammates, with a career-high of eight assists against Nebraska on February 5, 2014. He ended his time at Michigan strong, leading his team to defeat Michigan State, scoring 25 points on a 9-for-13 shooting run on February 23, 2014. His relentless growth and achievements during his time in Michigan prove why he’s considered one of the best in the field.

Stauskas’ basketball career is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and love for the game. Whether playing for the NBA or the Canadian national team, his impact on the court is undeniable. With a career that continues to prosper, Stauskas’ legacy to the sport is sure to be remembered. His story serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring basketball players and sports enthusiasts worldwide.