Marek Dolezaj

Marek Dolezaj (born 13 April 1998) is a Slovak professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange.

Marek Dolezaj
Dolezaj in 2020
Keflavík
PositionPower forward
LeagueÚrvalsdeild karla
Personal information
Born (1998-04-13) 13 April 1998
Bratislava, Slovakia
NationalitySlovak
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolGymnázium Hubeného
(Bratislava, Slovakia)
CollegeSyracuse (2017–2021)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015MBK Karlovka Bratislava
2015–2016Club Baloncesto El Olivar
2016–2017MBK Karlovka Bratislava
2021–2022Ternopil
2022Iraklis Thessaloniki
2023WWU Baskets Münster
2023–presentKeflavík

Early life and career

Dolezaj was born in Bratislava, the son of Milos Dolezaj, a banker, and Ladislava, a professor. His older sister played volleyball. Dolezaj grew up playing soccer but first began playing basketball at the age of seven after a coach suggested it.[1] He studied at the Gymnázium Hubeného in Bratislava. Dolezaj joined MBK Karlovka Bratislava of the Extraliga in 2014, and averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. He signed with Club Baloncesto El Olivar of the Spanish LEB Plata in October 2015.[2] He put videos of himself playing basketball on YouTube, which attracted the attention of Syracuse assistant coach Adrian Autry. Autry eventually came to Bratislava to recruit Dolezaj.[1] During the 2016-17 season, he played for MBK Karlovka Bratislava and averaged 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In May 2017, he committed to play college basketball at Syracuse.[3]

College career

As a freshman, Dolezaj started the final 17 games of the season and averaged 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore, starting six games.[4] On February 1, 2020, Dolezaj scored a career-high 22 points in a 97-88 loss to Duke.[5] As a junior, he averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Dolezaj was slowed by a broken finger as a senior.[6] He chipped his tooth in a game against Georgetown on January 9, 2021.[7] Dolezaj averaged 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, helping the Orange advance to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16.[8] He finished his career with 960 points and 649 rebounds. Dolezaj declined to accept the NCAA's additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead entering the 2021 NBA draft.[6]

Professional career

On August 17, 2021, Dolezaj signed with BC Ternopil of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague.[9] He averaged 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

On January 13, 2022, Dolezaj signed with Iraklis of the Greek Basket League.[10] In 13 games, he averaged 4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per contest.

In July 2023, Dolezaj signed with Keflavík of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla.[11]

National team career

Dolezaj has represented Slovakia in several international competitions. He participated in the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B, averaging 9.1 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists per game despite being younger than most players. Dolezaj posted a triple double of 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Ireland.[2] In the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B, he led the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.[3] Dolezaj averaged 11 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the 2018 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B qualifiers.[12]

References
  1. "Slovak Basketball Player Marek Dolezaj at Syracuse University". First Catholic Slovak Union. March 5, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  2. "Marek Dolezaj, nueva pieza para el filial y el Júnior del CAI Zaragoza". Casademont Zaragoza (in Spanish). October 8, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  3. Ditota, Donna (May 23, 2017). "Marek Dolezaj, 6-9 forward from Slovakia, signs with Syracuse basketball". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  4. Waters, Mike (November 18, 2019). "Syracuse's Marek Dolezaj on 19-point game: 'It's mindset'". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  5. "No. 9 Duke beats Syracuse 97-88; Carey another double-double". ESPN. Associated Press. February 1, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  6. "Marek Dolezaj says goodbye to Syracuse". LocalSyr.com. April 7, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  7. Carlson, Chris (January 11, 2021). "Marek Dolezaj isn't supposed to eat pizza for 2 weeks, but Buddy Boeheim believes he will 'find a way'". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  8. Sladek, Tommy (April 7, 2021). "SU men's basketball: Marek Dolezaj going pro, won't return next season". CNY Central. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  9. Waters, Mike (August 17, 2021). "Former Syracuse basketball player Marek Dolezaj has signed with a pro team in Europe". The Post-Standard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  10. Mammides, Chris (January 13, 2022). "Marek Dolezaj (ex Ternopil TNEU) joins Iraklis". Eurobasket. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. Smári Jökull Jónsson (4 July 2023). "Hávaxinn Slóvaki til liðs við Keflavík". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  12. "Marek DOLEZAJ". FIBA. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
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