'Žalgiris' Newcomer: I Played with Jonas in NBA 2K, Now We're Teammates

Newly signed "Žalgiris" center K. Akobundu-Ehiogu has arrived in Kaunas, sharing his initial impressions and excitement in his first interview with "Žalgiris TV." The 208 cm tall player is eager to explore the city, meet his new team, and prepare for the upcoming season. He recounted a pleasant encounter on his flight to Lithuania, where he met a fan wearing a "Žalgiris" jersey, recognizing the team's colors and an older version of its logo.

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I'm just happy to be here – I can't wait to see the city, the team, and prepare for the season.

Akobundu-Ehiogu also discussed his summer experiences, including playing in the NBA Summer League and his aspirations for the upcoming season. He expressed readiness to compete at the EuroLeague level, describing it as a significant step up. A particularly exciting prospect for him is the opportunity to play alongside and learn from Lithuanian NBA star Jonas Valančiūnas.

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I've already met a few fans – I flew on the same plane with a person who was wearing a green sweater. And I saw a logo that was in "Žalgiris" colors, but it looked older. Then I found an old "Žalgiris" logo online and it looked the same, so it was great to meet a fan already on the plane.

"It's funny because I used to play with him in 'NBA 2K,' and now we'll be teammates, so I really want to meet him," Akobundu-Ehiogu said, highlighting the surreal nature of his transition from a video game to a professional team. The full interview, which also features his favorite summer memory, is available on the "Žalgiris Insider" platform.

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I'm ready to compete in the EuroLeague, it will be a whole different level. I want to meet Jonas Valančiūnas and learn from him.