Martynas Pocius (28-04-1986, Vilnius, Lithuania) is a small forward that stands out for his speed and powerful jump. The player has signed for Real Madrid after two great seasons at Zalgiris Kaunas.
Pocius is 25 years old and 196 cm tall. He will bring speed, intensity and physical strength to Real Madrid, as well as versatility and tactical discipline both in defence and offence. With Zalgiris he averaged 8.1 points, 2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in the first year, and 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the second season.
Pocius was a student at the US' prestigious Duke University. He played with the Blue Devils four years before graduating, but he really started to shine in his return to Europe. He joined Kaunas in 2009 and soon became one of the pillars on both his club and national sides. He played in the Euroleague with Zalgiris and won the Bronze Medal in last year's World Championships with Lithuania, becoming his national team's third top scorer and averaging 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Pocius' venture into the basketball elite was not easy. At 13 he suffered partial amputation on three of the fingers of his left hand with a grinder during some school lessons. A long surgery allowed him to recover two, but he lost his middle finger. Pocius fought back and continued playing basketball at the Marciulonis basketball academy before leaving for the NCAA.
His father helped him pull through harsh times and offered constant support in the pursuit of his dream. "You will be different, but you must show people what you're really capable of," he used to tell his son. And he did. After finding success at the club that saw the birth of Arvydas Sabonis, Pocius arrives at Real Madrid ready to follow in the footsteps of one of the best players in the history of Lithuanian basketball.
Career
2005-09: Duke University
2009-11: Zalgiris Kaunas
2011/ - : Real Madrid
Honours
World Championships, Bronze Medal: 2010
Lithuanian league: 2011
Baltic League: 2010, 2011
Lithunaian Basketball Federation Cup: 2011
source : realmadrid.com
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