Grigonis returns to Zalgiris after five seasons abroad
Marijus Grigonis has signed a one-year contract with Kaunas Žalgiris, returning to the Lithuanian champions after five years abroad with CSKA Moscow and Panathinaikos.
Lithuanian national team guard Marijus Grigonis is heading back to Kaunas Žalgiris after five seasons away from home. The 32-year-old has penned a one-season deal with the Lithuanian champions.
In June 2021, Grigonis signed a three-year contract with Moscow CSKA, but left the Russian club following the start of the war in Ukraine. He then spent four seasons with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, where he dealt with several long-term injuries.
Last season, Grigonis averaged 9.8 points and 2.5 assists in six Greek league games, while in 19 Euroleague appearances he posted 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds. With Panathinaikos, he won both the Euroleague and Greek league titles in 2024, as well as two Greek Cups.
Žalgiris lost key players Sylvain Francisco and Moses Wright, along with Lithuanians Laurynas Birutis and Ignas Brazdeikis, during the offseason. The club has already reached agreements with Sean Lee, Marek Blaževič, and Maxwell Lewis (who will be loaned to London Lions for his first season). In the near future, Jonas Valančiūnas, Carsen Edwards, and Sterling Brown are also expected to officially join the team.
