Kalnietis makes hometown return / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Fotodiena.lt/E.Blaževičius Credit Fotodiena.lt/E.Blaževičius

Mantas Kalnietis signed a two-year contract with Lithuanian champions.

Long time point guard and fan favorite returns to Kaunas after six years and is ready to fill the void left by Olympiacos departed Thomas Walkup.

„Kaunas is my home and Zalgiris is more than just a team. When I left I always knew I‘d love to come back with the condition that I‘ll be needed. When I came back to Lithuania, I talked to the coach and it was clear that we‘re both on board. Both sides were interested in finding an agreement and everything else unfolded quickly,“ said Kalnietis in a statement released by the team.

Kalnietis began his professional career with Zalgiris in 2006. He played six years for his hometown team, before moving to Lokomotiv-Kuban Krasnodar where he won the EuroCup title in 2012. Later Lithuanian played for Emporio Armani Milan and ASVEL Villeurbanne, finally signing with Lokomotiv-Kuban again in 2019.

Kalnietis averaged 8.7 points, 7.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds in the EuroCup this season, helping his team reach the tournament Quarterfinals and earning All-Tournament Second Team selection honors. The guard was also named the MVP of the VTB United League, after averaging 9.6 points, 9.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 17.3 efficiency rating for Lokomotiv-Kuban.

Throughout his illustrious career Mantas Kalnietis has earned four LKL and BBL trophies alongside with two Lithuanian Federation Cups. He also has Italian and French league trophies and two Italian Supercup titles.

As one of the most decorated national team players, Kalnietis participated in two Olympic Games (2012, 2016), three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2019) and five Eurobasket tournaments (2009-2017). Current captain of the LTU national team has a World Cup bronze medal (2010) and a silver medal from the Eurobasket tournament (2013).

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