Marcin Gortat (born February 17, 1984 in Łódź), also known as the Polish Hammer,^[2] is a Polish professional basketball player in the NBA for the Orlando Magic. A 6'11" and 240 lb center, he is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat. He was a second-round draft choice of the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA Draft and was traded for future cash considerations to the Magic. Gortat started his career in ŁKS Łódź, then he played 3 seasons in RheinEnergie Cologne in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga. RheinEnergie Cologne won the domestic championship in 2006.

NBA career

On November 20, 2007, Gortat was assigned to play with the Anaheim Arsenal in the NBA Development League^. He was recalled from the D-League on December 2 and he played his first NBA game, for the Orlando Magic on March 1, 2008 against the New York Knicks. As of the end of the 2007–08 season, Gortat had appeared in 14 NBA games for the Orlando Magic, including eight playoff appearances. On April 16, 2008, in the Magic's last game of the 2007-08 NBA season, little-used Gortat played 28 minutes and registered a career-high 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 103-83 Magic win over the Washington Wizards. On December 15, 2008, starting in place of the injured Dwight Howard, Gortat played 28 minutes and topped his career highs with 16 points and 13 rebounds. On April 13, 2009, again starting in place of the injured Dwight Howard, Gortat played almost 43 minutes and topped his career high in rebounding with 18 rebounds and 10 points. On April 30, 2009, Gortat made his first playoff start in Game 6 against Philadelphia 76ers replacing Howard, who was suspended because of his actions in game 5. He had 11 points and 15 rebounds as the Magic eliminated their opponent 4-2.

On July 8, 2009, Gortat, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet for five years and $34 million with the Dallas Mavericks. The Magic later matched the offer sheet on July 13, 2009.

Gortat is the first Polish-born player to appear in the NBA finals.