By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Reacting to the season-ending injury of Keenan Evans, Zalgiris scanned the market and immediately completed an addition to the squad.
Isaiah Taylor inked a contract for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, the team announced Friday evening.
Initially emerging as a major candidate to replace Evans was Trent Frazier. But the promising rookie point guard coming out of Illinois carrying a two-year contract with FMP Meridian complicated the situation, thoroughly explained by Eurohoops.
The Kaunas outfit was also among the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams interested in DeShaun Thomas. However, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan opting to keep the experienced forward shut the door on potential suitors for the Ohio State product, as reported by Eurohoops.
Taylor, 28, became a free agent after parting ways with Anadolu Efes last week. Over his first 11 games played in EuroLeague, he produced 2.6 points, 0.5 assists, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per contest. The former Texas standout in the NCAA and veteran of 74 NBA games between the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, also played for UCAM Murcia and Maccabi Rishon LeZion since moving his talents overseas in 2020.
Per the press release: “Injury-struck Zalgiris will add Isaiah Taylor, a 28-year-old 191 cm tall point guard with NBA and EuroLeague experience, to its roster. The American has signed a deal that will keep him in Kaunas until the end of the season.
Zalgiris had to look for reinforcements in their backcourt after Keenan Evans ruptured his Achilles tendon in Thursday’s game against Fenerbahce. Evans will have to miss 6-8 months of basketball after the surgery.
Taylor started this season with Anadolu Efes Istanbul. However, he didn’t get many chances to make a name for himself with the EuroLeague champions, scoring 2.6 points and 1.6 efficiency points in 11 games.
His star shone brighter last season, as he averaged 15.2 points per game for UCAM Murcia, who finished fourth in the Spanish league.
Taylor started his European career in Israel in the 2020-2021 season with Maccabi Rishon Lezion, where he put up 17 points, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals averages.
Before coming to Europe, Taylor also played for the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Taylor played 66 games with the Hawks in the 2017-2018 season, collecting 6.7 points and 3.1 assists.
The newest Zalgiris player will wear #22 jersey and will be arriving in Lithuania soon.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net