Zalgiris Kaunas announced the signing of former Barcelona forward Rolands Smits to a two-year deal on Sunday. Last season saw Smits averaging 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 36 games for Barca in the 2021-22 EuroLeague season.
He spent five seasons with the Catalans, although he played on loan at Urbas Fuenlabrada during his first season after joining the Spanish giants in 2017. Smits was a steady contributor for FC Barcelona through the years.
The versatile Latvian, who can play at the power forward and center positions, has come off the bench under Sarunas Jasikevicius. He helped Barcelona win three Spanish Copa del Rey titles and the 2021 Spanish League championship in his time there.
Smits started his professional career with Fuenlabrada and was chosen as the 2017 EuroCup Rising Star while playing there. He is also a regular with the Latvian national team.
In the Spanish Liga Endesa, Smits averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds, shooting at a 35.3 percent clip from beyond the arc. Zalgiris has also signed Laurynas Birutis and Arnas Butkevicius so far this offseason in addition to Smits.
From Barcelona, to Kaunas. Welcome to Zalgiris, Rolands Smits! 🤝
📰: https://t.co/HEjoGUs9Zg pic.twitter.com/CkaiMuT8lK
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) July 3, 2022
