By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Baskonia reached an agreement with Nik Stauskas for the early termination of their contract, the Spanish team announced on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Canadian guard is out a week after his mental breakdown that pushed his side to the EuroLeague Regular Season Round 23 loss to Real Madrid.
“This decision hasn’t been easy, but unfortunately I’ve been battling a knee injury since the beginning of the season and it’s something that I needed to address,” he noted via Instagram, “After speaking with doctors, the team, my agent and my family, we all decided it was best for me to get surgery and focus on getting myself healthy.”
The former Michigan standout went through his debut EuroLeague campaign posting 9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game through 22 appearances including 12 starting nods. As for ACB, he averaged 7.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest.
Stauskas moved overseas for the first time following 335 NBA games between the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Put up career averages of 6.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Baskonia is currently 9-15 in Europe’s premier club competition, a couple of wins away from the spots that lead to the playoffs. Also sits tenth in the Spanish league with a 10-11 W-L tally.