Career: Bonus Riga (Latvia-LBL, 1992-94), Metropole (Latvia-LBL, 1995-98), Broceni Riga (Latvia-LBL, 1998-99), Bobry Bytom (Poland-PLK, 1999-2000), BK LMT Riga (Latvia-LBL, 2001), Slask Wroclaw (Poland-PLK, 2001), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany-1.Bundesliga, 2001-02), GHP Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, 2002-06), BK Ventspils (Latvia-Baltic league & LBL, 2006-07).

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Experienced and powerful, Helmanis has been a key player for the National Team since the nineties. Some coaches were trying to put this 2.04 m player under the basket but his style tends to draw him away from the hoop. Helmanis can use his big body in the paint, especially on defense, but his most effective weapon is his ability to knock down the three-point shot. He doesn’t look very quick, but he is adept at getting himself open from behind the three-point line. Helmanis has been a National Champion in three different countries in his career: Latvia, Poland and Germany. After four good years at Bamberg, Helmanis came back to Latvia and celebrated his homecoming with "eternal" national champs BK Ventspils and showed all his best assets in the Baltic league and in ULEB Cup games. He is not a vocal leader, but an irreplaceable member of the team. This summer Helmanis will become the first Latvian to play in five EuroBaskets.