Panathinaikos reportedly closing in on a deal with Arturas Gudaitis / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BNS Credit BNS

Two weeks ago, Arturas Gudaitis was reported asthe main target forPanathinaikos OPAP Athensto strengthen their center position.

2-pointers this season

54%19,4Points made:19,4Accuracy:53,7%Place in standings:10Record max:25Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Georgios PapagiannisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After the signings of Marius Grigonis, Andrew Andrews, Nate Walters and Derrick Williams, the Greens are on the lookout for a big man. Gudaitis' case had been left behind in relation to the others, since the desire of Dejan Radonic was for the club to fill in the empty spots in the backcourt positions.

But now, as Giorgos Zakkas of SDNA.gr reports, the 29-year-old Lithuanian center is intended to serve as a backup for Giorgos Papagiannis in the Greens' frontline.

Gudaitis comes off two seasons under the guidance of Xavi Pascual at Zenit Saint Petersburg and another at AX Armani Exchange Milan under Ettore Messina. At one point, the case of Joffrey Lauvergne seemed to draw interest, but eventually Gudaitis is the player that PAO reportedly choose to sign.

In total, Gudaitis counts 144 EuroLeague games, averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting with 61% two-pointers, 30% in three-pointers and 72% in shots. He also has 14 EuroCup appearances with 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds as a Lietuvos Rytas player.

In 2018-19, he had a career season at Armani Milan, averaging 12.5 points (63.9% on two-pointers and 80.5% on free-throws) and 7.1 rebounds. The same year, however, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, as a result of which he remained sidelined for seven and a half months.

The experienced center finished last season in the Italian Serie A with Napoli, after leaving Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. He's been a free agent since July 1, but that's expected to change soon.

Artūras Gudaitis

Team:Position:CAge:29Height:211 cmWeight:115 kgBirth place:Klaipėda, LithuaniaProfileNewsStatistics

Current roster:

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens

Position Player Status PG Paris Lee(story) Signed until 2023 +1 PG Nate Wolters(story) Signed until 2023 PG/SG Andrew Andrews(story) Signed until 2024 SG/SF Panagiotis Kalaitzakis(story) Signed until 2024 +1 SG Marius Grigonis(story) Signed until 2024 SF Howard Sant-Roos Signed until 2023 SF/PF Lefteris Mantzoukas Signed until 2025 SF/PF Derrick Williams(story) Signed until 2023 PF Nikos Chougkaz Signed until 2025 C Giorgos Papagiannis Signed until 2023 C Vassilis Kavvadas Signed until 2022 +1 Coach Dejan Radonjic(story) Expired contract Giorgos Vovoras (will not return), Peyton Siva, Lefteris Bochoridis, Leonidas Kaselakis (will not return), Jeremy Evans (will not return), Nemanja Nedovic (will not return), Daryl Macon (will not return), Ioannis Papapetrou (will not return) Rumored to leave Stefan Jovic, Okaro White (will not return) Interested Arturas Gudaitis (story), Nick Calathes (story), Andrew Andrews (story),

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