Jānis Timma

Jānis Timma (2 July 1992 – 17 December 2024) was a Latvian professional basketball player. Standing at 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in), he mainly played at the small forward position. He also represented the senior Latvia national team.

A native of Krāslava, Timma started his career in 2008 with ASK Riga and had stints with several EuroLeague teams, including Khimki Moscow, Baskonia and Olympiacos. In his youth, he was regarded as one of the top prospects of his generation in Europe.

Professional career

Timma grew up playing basketball in his hometown of Krāslava, but at age 15 moved to Rīga. At first he joined ASK Rīga's youth system, and made a few appearances for its senior team, during the end of the 2008–09 season. The following year, ASK Riga was dissolved and he played with DSN Rīga, a team that consisted of young Latvian talents. Timma helped DSN Rīga to win the Latvian 2nd division in the 2009–10 season. He also spent the majority of the next season playing with DSN Rīga.

Timma joined Liepājas Lauvas for the 2011–12 season. That can be considered his first real season at the pro level. After a decent season in Liepāja, Timma made the next step in his career. On 1 August 2012, he signed a multi-year contract with Ventspils.

In April 2013, he led Ventspils to the Baltic Basketball League championship, and he won the Finals MVP award.

In his second season with Ventspils, Timma won his first Latvian League championship, and he was named the MVP of the playoffs.

On 28 July 2014, he signed with the Latvian club VEF Rīga, where he played for the first time in such quality competition as the European-wide secondary league, the EuroCup, and the VTB United League.