Aaron White: 'To be honest, Jasikevicius killed Wolters that year in Zalgiris' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BasketNews.lt/D.Lukšta Credit BasketNews.lt/D.Lukšta

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens recently brought in Marius Grigonis and Nate Wolters, who both played for Zalgiris Kaunas together with Aaron White, a former player of both of those clubs. White shared his insights about his former teammates.

3-pointers this season

35%8,4Points made:8,4Accuracy:35,3%Place in standings:13Record max:13Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Artūras MilaknisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

White, who played together with Grigonis and Wolters in Zalgiris in the 2018-19 season, recalled that Grigonis initially disagreed with the head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.

"At the beginning of the season, Marius had disagreements with Jasikevicius," White told sdna.gr.

"Jasikevicus wanted him to follow the plan and do exactly what was asked, while Marius wanted to play freely," White recalled.

"Saras [Jasikevicius] didn't like it very much and they had a grudge against each other," added White.

"However, over time, they adapted to each other," said the American forward.

"In the second half of the season, Jasikevicius trusted Grigonis more," White continued.

"Sometimes Marius sincerely followed the system, and sometimes he started improvising," the 2.06-meters tall forward recalled.

"In the end, everything was fine between them because the middle ground was found," White explained.

According to White, the 2018-19 season in Zalgiris was even more difficult for Wolters than his teammate Grigonis.

"Saras is very strict, especially with offensive players. To be honest, Jasikevicius killed Wolters that year in Zalgiris" said White.

"The most difficult was during the video reviews. But he [Wolters] found his place and I believe that will happen in Panathinaikos as well," said the American.

"Nate is a quality player and this move seems very timely," White added.

White, who remains with Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade for the next season, also opened up about what Panathinaikos fans can expect from Grigonis on the court.

"Marius can score points," said the American. "He's a great offensive player and you can count on him in fourth quarters" White continued.

"Grigonis is aggressive, always wants to win and he makes his teammates better," said White.

"I like not only his game, but also his character, so I think the people of Athens will like it too," ex Panathinaikos player explained.

"In my year at Zalgiris, Grigonis was not the team leader yet, but when Martin Schiller came, he took a big step forward and took leadership," White recalled.

"I don't know, but I would guess that Marius can have such a role in Panathinaikos as well," said White.

"He [Grigonis] has the potential for that and it's just a matter of what the coach will demand from him," the American concluded.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.