Latvian-born professional basketball player Davis Bertans began his career in Europe before getting drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA Draft. Bertans’ draft rights were traded to the San Antonio Spurs, however, he continued his career in Europe until 2016 when he eventually joined the NBA.
Davis Bertans’ Bio, Age
Davis Bertans was born on the 12th of November 1992 in Valmiera, the largest city in the Republic of Latvia. Growing up, he was involved in several sports including basketball, hockey, and soccer. However, he developed a special interest in the game of basketball after watching Michael Jordan‘s golden era with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s.
Bertans began his professional basketball career in his native country playing for clubs in different league divisions. He spent his first season 2007-08 with ASK Kadeti II and between 2008 and 2010, he had separate stints with second division side BAA Riga, top division side ASK Riga as well as BK Keizarmezs Riga basketball team. He joined top division Latvian team BK Barons Riga at the start of the 2010-11 season, however, he departed the club in November 2010 after landing a multi-year deal with Slovenian club Union Olimpija.
At the end of the 2010-11 season, Davis Bertans entered the 2011 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round by the Indiana Pacers as the second overall pick. However, he was swiftly traded in a draft-day deal to the San Antonio Spurs. Despite having getting drafted into the NBA, Bertans remained in Europe afterward.
In January 2012, he departed Union Olimpija for another Serbian team Partizan Belgrade. Bertans won 3 consecutive Serbian League titles (2012–2014), one Serbian cup (2012), and one ABA League First Division title (2013) with Partizan during his nearly 3-year stint with the team. He ended his contract with the team at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Davis Bertans joined First Division Spanish club Laboral Kutxa Baskonia in July 2014. Though his first season with the team was shortened by an injury, the talented player averaged 11.4 points over 25 appearances in the Spanish League as well as 11.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 22 Euroleague games.
He played 22 games in the Spanish league during his second season averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in addition to 15 Euroleague appearances during which he averaged 7.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Davis Bertans eventually joined the NBA in July 2016 signing a multi-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
Davis Bertans NBA Career
During his NBA rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs, Davis Bertans made 67 total appearances (6 starts) averaging 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. He was also assigned on multiple occasions to the teams’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.
Britain’s playing time, as well as his performance, improved marginally during the 2017-18 season. He featured in 77 games including 10 starts during which he averaged 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. The NBA star signed a 4-year contract extension valued at $20 million with the Spurs in July 2018.
Family, Siblings
Davis Bertans’ parents are Dina and Dainis Bertāns. He was raised alongside one sibling, an older brother named Dairies. Theirs was a lower-middle-class family as they could barely afford any form of luxury.
Apparently, Davis Bertans is not the only member of his family that is involved in sports. His father, Dainis Bertans was a professional basketball player in his prime and currently serves as the coach of a youth team. His mother was a high-level rower during her heyday and now serves as a gym teacher.
His older brother, Dairis Bertans is equally a professional basketball player. He began his career in their home city of Valmiera and currently plays in Europe.
Is Davis Bertan Married? Wife
Davis Bertan is married to Anna Sonka, a fellow Latvian native. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 2017 after several years of dating and they live in San Antonio, Texas.
Just like her famous husband, Anna Sonka also played high-level basketball. She had the first two seasons of her college basketball career at Cowley County College in Mulvane, Kansas. She transferred to the University of Toledo for her junior season and eventually, she played for Newman University during her senior season. Sonka graduated from Newman University in 2013 having majored in business.
Height and Other Body Measurements
Davis Bertans stands at an imposing height of 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm). He maintains a bodyweight of 95 kg (210 lbs). A well-rounded player, Bertans is known to be an excellent three-point shooter with the ability to shoot easily from the perimeter owing to his stature.
