Z's a father... Congrats to him

[nime]

VILNIUS - Lithuanian NBA star Zydrunas Ilgauskas has adopted two orphaned boys in his homeland, the Baltic News Service reported Friday.

BNS said the 34-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers centre and his wife Jennifer had completed adoption procedures and left Lithuania Thursday with the two youngsters.

The boys, aged three and four, had been brought up in an orphanage in Kaunas, Lithuania's second city and Ilgauskas's hometown.

The 2.21-metre (seven-foot three-inch) Ilgauskas, who is nicknamed "Big Z", was the first Lithuanian to play in the NBA finals in 2007.

He joined the Cavaliers as a rookie in 1996, two years after his professional debut for Kaunas's club Atletas.

He enjoys iconic status in Lithuania, a country of 3.3 million where basketball is the top sport -- so much so that it is often nicknamed "the second religion" after Roman Catholicism.

Lithuania are multiple European champions and regular Olympic medalists.

as of 08/28/2009 5:57 PM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/28/09/lithuanian-nba-star-adopts-two-boys

 

[blank964]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

Great news especially after what happened a couple of years ago.

 

[Widowmaker]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

A class act by Big Z. Congrats

 

[Gunther]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

Way to go, Big Z!

 

[DougHeil]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

Very, very nice Big Z! You and your wife are giving TWO children the very best of you, and giving them a real opportunity to prosper in life with whatever they decide to do. Kudos to you! :cheers:

 

[Earl]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

Class act. Nuff said.

 

[Splitz]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

I'm glad that Big Z looked to adoption in this case. There are plenty of children out there that need an opportunity to grow up in a good home. I think the length of time and effort that it takes sometimes can throw people off the idea but if you have a family history of serious disease or genetic disorders, then it is definitely the way to go.

 

[Karma]

Re: Z's a parent...Congrats to him

That is great news for the Ilgauskas family, particularly the two young boys who get given a wonderful home. Gotta love a class act on and off the floor.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Awesome... congrats to Z and Jennifer.

 

[Preacher]

Congrats to the Ilgauskas family. I hope Z enjoys fatherhood as much as I do!

 

[OnTheReg]

Mazel Tov big guy!

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Z makes me even prouder to be Lithuanian myself.

I just feel sorry for the kids having to move to Cleveland. :chuckles:

 

[Karma]

Another reason not to trade Ilgauskas. You cannot uproot these kids twice in 12 months. :sad:

 

[Rick Astley]

abs-cbn news... :chuckles:

 

[AMC]

Congrats to Z, it was very sad when his twins died after birth awhile back