Zalgiris extend their legend Paulius Jankunas / News - Basketnews.com

Zalgiris Kaunas have officially announced that the team and the captain will continue their long-lasting partnership for one more year.

Paulius Jankūnas

Team:Zalgiris KaunasPosition:PF, CAge:37Height:205 cmWeight:107 kgBirth place:Kaunas, LithuaniaProfileNewsStatistics

“There was no second-guessing myself during the summer. We had talked about this and shook hands on it with Paulius Motiejunas. We know each other for a long time, so a simple word is sometimes more important than the actual signature. My vacation finished, and all the formalities were taken care of,” saidPaulius Jankunas in a club-released statement.

The 37-year-old veteran leads the EuroLeague in total rebounds (1965) and games played (375). He ranks 6th in points scored (3178).

Last season in the Euroleague the power forward averaged 3.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 34 games. Zalgiris finished 11th with a 17-17 record.

Jankunas has been closely following the makings of the roster for the upcoming season, and he’s delighted to have some skilled and experienced Lithuanians returning to the locker room.

“The club had an intense summer like no other. Some players we managed to get on board, the others not quite. But everything’s good, we’ve got a team, and how we gel, how we play together – only time will tell. It’s great to see Lithuanians returning to Zalgiris. We’ll have strong local players, who’ll be good on the court, but will also help me and Milas keep order in the locker room.”

Jankunas has been a member of his hometown club since 2003. He only had a short stint with Khimki Moscow Region in 2009-10.

Current roster

Zalgiris Kaunas

Position Player Status PG Mantas Kalnietis Signed until 2023 PG Lukas Lekavicius Signed until 2022 +1 SG Janis Strelnieks (story) Signed until 2022 SG Arturas Milaknis Signeduntil 2022 SG Karolis Lukosiunas Contract option +1 SF Niels Giffey (story) Signeduntil 2022 +1 SF/PF Edgaras Ulanovas(story) Signed until 2022 PF Tyler Cavanaugh Signeduntil 2023 +1 PF Paulius Jankunas (story) Signed until 2022 C Joffrey Lauvergne Signeduntil 2022 +1 C Josh Nebo (story) Signeduntil 2022 +1 C Marek Blazevic Signeduntil 2023 Coach Martin Schiller Expired contract Thomas Walkup (not coming back), Marius Grigonis (not coming back), Augustine Rubit (not coming back), Patricio Garino (not coming back) Rumored to leave Nigel Hayes (story), Martinas Geben (not coming back), Karolis Lukosiunas, Rokas Jokubaitis (not coming back), Steve Vasturia (not coming back), Tomas Dimsa (loan) Interested Emmanuel Mudiay (story), Jaka Blazic (story), Jaleen Smith

See all the latest EuroLeague transfer market news here.

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