Career: Bonus Riga (Latvia-LBL, 1993-94), Adazhi Riga (Latvia-LBL, 1994-95), Metropole Talsi (Latvia-LBL, 1995-98), Broceni Riga (Latvia-LBL, 1998-99), Bobry Bytom (Poland-PLK, 1999-2000), Broceni Riga (Latvia-LBL, 2000-01), Zepter Wroclaw (Poland-PLK, 2001), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany-Bundesliga, 2001-02), GHP Bamberg (Germany-Bundesliga, 2002-05).

The Latvian bear is probably not the most spectacular player on the court… With him, don’t expect high flying dunks or gravity defying blocked shots. Helmanis is a powerful inside player with surprising outside accuracy. He’s a master at gaining position in the paint and finishing with a wide array of moves or stepping outside for a three-point shot. Through the years he has been Latvia’s most consistent player, regularly scoring in double figures... Helmanis is also a consummate winner as he took Polish squad Zepter Wroclaw to the title in 2001 and achieved the same with German side Bamberg. As a result, the Bundesliga champion qualified for the Euroleague and, at 33, Helmanis will participate for the first time in the most prestigious European club competition.