Βy Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lithuanian anchor and team captain Edgaras Ulanovas has extended his contract with Zalgiris Kaunas for four more years.
Per the press release: Zalgiris Kaunas has achieved another victory in the off-season – the club has extended the contract of one of the team’s most important players and captain Edgaras Ulanovas. The Kaunas native will defend the honor of Lithuanian champions for another four years, until the summer of 2027.
“The talks started quite a long time ago, but the concrete negotiations took place after the end of the season. I also wanted to make a decision after the season. The decision is a strong one – it’s a four-year contract. It’s a huge step for my family and for me. I felt the club was very keen for me to stay. That was very important for me.
We ended the season on a high note, so that also helped. All things considered, I couldn’t see a better option. There was no point in waiting any longer for something. I am very happy to be representing Zalgiris Kaunas. At the same time, I am the captain, a very important position. This is what drives me forward,” said Ulanovas.
Ulanovas, who has been playing for Zalgiris since the 2014 season with a one-year break, will be 35 years old in four years, so the player understands that the green and white club could very well be the last stop of his career.
“Probably I won’t hear my name during the NBA Draft in four years. I had to discuss everything with my family. This will probably be the team where my career as a basketball player will end. I’ve been here for many years. I understand everything here.
There have been better and worse seasons. There have been moments when the club has helped and supported me a lot. There have been moments when I’ve pushed myself to the limit to help the team. There is always that mutual relationship. And, of course, the fans, who support me all the time,” said the Zalgiris captain.
Last season, Ulanovas was the third most efficient player in the EuroLeague, scoring 10.2 points and leading the team in the Betsafe-LKL championship (10.5 points).
He led Zalgiris to six consecutive Lithuanian League titles from 2015 to 2020 and won the trophy again in 2023. Ulanovas lifted the Lithuanian Cup trophy six times (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023) becoming the MVP of the competition for the record 5 times.
Ulanovas also holds an illustrious mark in youth basketball as he won all four gold medals internationally for his generation: 2008 U16 European Championship, 2010 U18 European Championship, 2011 U19 World Cup and 2012 FIBA U20 European Championship.