Kauno „Žalgiris“ signs American guard Keenan Evans through 2028

Lithuanian basketball powerhouse Kauno „Žalgiris“ has secured its first new signing for the upcoming season, bringing in American guard Keenan Evans. The club announced a two-year contract for Evans, keeping him in Kaunas until the end of the 2027-2028 season. Evans is no stranger to high-level European basketball, having played in the EuroLeague for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiacos, and Anadolu Efes. He made a strong impression early in his EuroLeague career, scoring 23 points against Anadolu Efes in his debut. Most recently, he played for Anadolu Efes this past season, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 12.2 efficiency points per game. Evans spoke with basketball commentator Rytis Kazlauskas via video call, expressing his eagerness to begin his tenure with Žalgiris. "I am very eager for this new chapter and look forward to this opportunity," Evans stated. "I feel that Žalgiris is a great club, and I should fit in well with the players already on the team. I am very eager to help the team win and continue the work from this year's solid season."

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I am very eager for this new chapter and look forward to this opportunity. I feel that Žalgiris is a great club, and I should fit in well with the players already on the team. I am very eager to help the team win and continue the work from this year's solid season.

Evans also discussed his conversations with teammate Nigel Williams-Goss and highlighted the influence of the fans on his decision. Reflecting on his past experiences playing against Žalgiris, he noted the team's aggressive defense and fast-paced offense. "Regarding defense, they are a team that attacks the ball and plays aggressively. I understood that Žalgiris doesn't give up any easy points," he observed. "Offensively, they maintain a high tempo and read the game well. Those would be the main things I understood playing against Žalgiris. Also, this team grew throughout the season, you could see how it found its identity during the season and only went up from there. I feel confident that with my game, I will fit the team's style – I want to make an impact on defense."

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Regarding defense, they are a team that attacks the ball and plays aggressively. I understood that Žalgiris doesn't give up any easy points. Offensively, they maintain a high tempo and read the game well. Those would be the main things I understood playing against Žalgiris. Also, this team grew throughout the season, you could see how it found its identity during the season and only went up from there. I feel confident that with my game, I will fit the team's style – I want to make an impact on defense.

The American guard also shared his desire for Kaunas and Žalgiris to become his long-term home. "I definitely feel that way. I've been moving around a lot lately, so I'd like to find a home and an organization where I can grow," Evans said. "I really want that, so I'm looking forward to this opportunity to show my abilities and help Žalgiris win as many games as possible. I really want the next few years to be able to call Žalgiris my home."

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I definitely feel that way. I've been moving around a lot lately, so I'd like to find a home and an organization where I can grow. I really want that, so I'm looking forward to this opportunity to show my abilities and help Žalgiris win as many games as possible. I really want the next few years to be able to call Žalgiris my home.