By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Sarunas Jasikevicius went through various topics during his official presentation by FC Barcelona on Monday. The recently-appointed head coach of the Spanish powerhouse answered questions about Pau Gasol, his playing memories from Barcelona, and more.
“Many names are popping out but everybody understands we can only comment when a move is official,” he pointed out on incoming players and went on to his former Barca teammate Gasol who turned 40 today, “I am very close to Pau. Signing him wouldn’t hurt us.”
Coming off his first head coaching stint with Zalgiris Kaunas, the 44-year-old Lithuanian hopes for further success with Barcelona. “We are going to do our best to play great basketball, winning basketball,” he noted on his next project.
Ante Tomic, Pau Ribas, and Kevin Pangos are out. In contrast, Nick Calathes is expected to join his side. In addition, Darius Maskoliunas, Tomas Masiulis, and Justinas Grainys will follow him from Zalgiris to Spain joining the Barca staff, the Lithuanian club announced.
“We have spent a lot of time talking on the phone and texting each other but mainly we are working on staff issues,” he said regarding early discussions avoiding any comment on potential additions, “The team is already good but we will attempt to improve our roster.”
Jasikevicius, a former Barca star, reminisced the EuroLeague 2003 final and his key three-pointer. “The Palau Sant Jordi crowd celebrated like a goal at the Camp Nou,” he mentioned looking back at the 76-65 win over Benetton Treviso, “I will never forget those moments.”