Rolands Smits on joining Zalgiris: 'I wanted to have a bigger role' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix | BasketNews iliustracija/A.Zaikauskas Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix | BasketNews iliustracija/A.Zaikauskas

Zalgiris Kaunas newcomer Rolands Smits will play outside of Spain for the first time since 2012.

Points this season

45%73,0Points made:73,0Accuracy:44,9%Place in standings:16Record max:103Record min:51Best scorer:Lukas LekavičiusTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The former FC Barcelona forward shared his thoughts about joining the team with the club's private platform, Zalgiris Insider.

"It's very strange," Smits told after being asked about playing near his home country. "However, I feel really good because it's only a three-hour drive to my home. My family will be able to visit me more often. It was the best decision for my family because Latvia and Lithuania are very similar."

Smits was a part of Barca since 2017, but his first season was spent with Fuenlabrada SAD. The forward made his debut in the EuroCup and received the Rising Star award. He later spent the next four seasons with the Catalan powerhouse.

"I wanted to be a more important player, I wanted to have a bigger role," Smits said. "I was very happy in Barcelona, but it's hard to play with so many great players in one team. I played with arguably the greatest players in Europe, so I feel I need some change. I wanted to feel like a more important part of the team and to improve my game. I think this will be a great place for my further development."

The new Zalgiris addition averaged 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds for 4.8 for Barcelona and was the primary substitute for superstar Nikola Mirotic, who claimed the EuroLeague MVP award last season.

"I'm very happy to be here, and I'll do everything for my team to win every game possible and win every trophy," Smits said to Zalgiris fans during the interview.

Zalgiris Kaunas

Position Player Status PG Mantas Kalnietis Signed until 2023 PG Lukas Lekavicius Signed until 2025 SG Karolis Lukosiunas Signed until 2023 SG Tomas Dimsa Signed until 2022 +1 SF/PF Edgaras Ulanovas Signed until 2024 SF Arnas Butkevicius (story) Signed until 2024 PF Tyler Cavanaugh Signed until 2023 +1 PF/C Rolands Smits (story) Signed until 2024 C Joffrey Lauvergne Signed until 2022 +1 C Laurynas Birutis(story) Signed until 2024 Coach Kazys Maksvytis (story) Expired contract Tai Webster (will not return), Janis Strelnieks (will not return), Niels Giffey (will not return), Arturas Milaknis, Paulius Jankunas (retiring), Marek Blazevic (will not return), Regimantas Miniotas (will not return), Josh Nebo (will not return) Rumored to leave Joffrey Lauvergne, Arturas Milaknis Interested Kevarrius Hayes (story), Caleb Homesley, Darius Thompson (story), Keenan Evans (story) Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.