By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Penning a contract for the 2022-23 season with an option for one more season, Kevarrius Hayes joined forces with Zalgiris, the team announced Friday.
Hayes, 25, played in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season powering Frutti Extra Bursaspor and previously gained his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague experience at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in 2020-21. Moving his talents to Kaunas, he will take the spot of departing Joffrey Lauvergne.
Per the press release: “Kevarrius Hayes, a 25-year-old center, standing at 206 cm tall, will look to cement Zalgiris Kaunas’ front line. The American, known for his athleticism and defense, signed a 1+1 contract with Zalgiris.
He will replace Joffrey Lauvergne, who is leaving the team after 2 seasons in Zalgiris.
Last season Hayes played for Bursa Frutti Extra. This Turkish team had a great performance in the EuroCup, where they reached the finals.
The big man, who started in the starting five, scored 9 points and 7 rebounds per game in the European Cup, and was even more impressive on the defensive end, with 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, which ranked him among the top five players in the EuroCup.
In the Turkish championship, Hayes averaged 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Hayes also has EuroLeague experience, having played for ASVEL Villeurbanne in the 2020-2021 season.
A year earlier, the American started his professional career in Europe with Acqua S.Bernardo of Cantu, where he led the Italian league in blocked shots with 2.6 blocks per game.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net