By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas has already started to construct the team for the upcoming season and has extended the contract with one of the leaders of this season.
The fans at Zalgirio Arena will be able to continue watching Rolands Smits, as contract with the Latvian has been extended until the end of the 2025-2026 season. However, the contract allows the player to leave after each season, except this summer.
“The season is not over yet, we all want to win the Lithuanian championship, but me and my family are happy to stay in Kaunas for a longer period of time. The players here have all the right conditions, we have an incredible fan base, and I want to keep enjoying it. Moreover, I will play in a familiar environment, close to home, which makes me happy,” Smits told Zalgiris.lt.
The 27-year-old Latvian arrived to Kaunas from FC Barcelona last summer and quickly became one of the team’s most important players.
In the EuroLeague Smits appeared on the court in all 37 Zalgiris games and averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
“When we invited Rolands last summer, we already knew what he could bring to the team. During the season we were convinced that we will need all of that in the future, so I am glad that these negotiations did not take long and we kept an important player,” said Zalgiris’ head coach Kazys Maksvytis.
The versatile Latvian is showing similar numbers in this season’s Betsafe-LKL Championship. Smits averages 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, as Zalgiris is on the brink of making the Finals.