By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A veteran of 64 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as a member of Zalgiris, Karolis Lukosiunas returned to the team based in Kaunas.
Lukosiunas, 26, inked a deal for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, the team announced on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “Zalgiris Kaunas has added a new player for the rest of the season. Karolis Lukosiunas, who played here last year, returns to the roster of Lithuanian champions. The 26-year-old sniper has been signed until the end of the season.
Lukosiunas has already played for Zalgiris Kaunas from 2018 to 2023, and last summer he left for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League.
He played five games in the G-League, averaging 3.8 points (35.7% three-point accuracy).
With the deadline for new player registrations in the EuroLeague closing, Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri stressed the need for a kind of insurance policy.
“Zalgiris is always on the market, but sometimes you have to focus on what you already have at home. Right now we have a team with great chemistry. They give 110% in every game, but at the same time, both in the locker room and on the court, we feel that we need to preserve this group of players. Given the workload and the schedule, we have decided to bring in a player who can help us to rest our guys,” said Trinchieri.
According to Zalgiris Kaunas Director Paulus Jankunas, the return of the sniper seemed like a proven option at the moment.
“He is a player who has been with our club for a long time and can play specific roles and contribute in certain situations. The coaches had a need for such a player at the moment, and Karolis fits that description. His adaptation should not take long and the team gets a proven player,” said Jankunas about the newcomer.
Lukosiunas has already become Lithuanian champion three times and won the King Mindaugas Cup four times.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net