By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Interviewed by Mundo Deportivo, Jonas Valanciunas talked about the recent successful run by his countryman Sarunas Jasikevius since taking over Fenerbahce, replacing Dimitris Itoudis in Istanbul.
“He’s my boy, I know him, we played together at club level and in the national team”, he remembered about times with Rytas Vilnius, where Saras played for a few games in 2010. “He is showing that he can be one of the best coaches. He is doing well with Fenerbahce. I’m happy for him, I hope he goes far, and that he can take the team to the Final Four or even higher“, he said.
The Lithuanian experienced center also touched on his former teammate Willy Hernangomez. “I miss him. He was a tremendous boy with tremendous energy, a good boy. We always spent time together, so I miss him. I wish him the best, he is playing well now in Barcelona”, he commented.
Talking about potentially moving to the Catalan side, he denied the opportunity. “I can’t do that to my boy Willy [Hernangomez], I can’t take his place. I won’t be there, I’m a good boy, I don’t want to hurt him”, he replied jokingly.
Preparing for this summer’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with Lithuania, playing in Puerto Rico for a spot in the Olympic Games in Paris, the 31-year-old is almost averaging a double-double this season with 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup