Rodions Kurucs reunites with Luca Banchi in Strasbourg
By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Completing the search for a new player, SIG Strasbourg have announced the arrival of Rodions Kurucs.
Kurucs, 24, has signed a contract for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, the team announced on Monday.
The Alsatian club recently parted ways with Stan Okoye and lost the formidable Matt Mitchell on the injured list for the next three months. Experienced center Ike Udanoh is also ruled out.
The newcomer started his 2022-23 campaign at Real Betis in the Spanish Liga Endesa. After averaging 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 11 ACB appearances, he moved up to the Basketball Champions League and France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A. Returning from the NBA in Europe, he played for Partizan NIS in 2021-22. His NBA experience spanned 139 games played between the brooklyn nets, Houston Rocketsand Milwaukee dollars.
At international level, he represented Latvia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers under manager Luca Banchi. He therefore finds the Italian tactician in Strasbourg.
“I am very happy that Rodions has joined our team”, said Banchi, himself appointed head coach just over a month ago, “We hope his arrival will have a positive impact. He is a promising young player. I would like to thank the club for doing everything possible to find a quick solution.
With one game less, Strasbourg clinched the top seed in Group A of the BCL regular season, therefore a direct ticket to the round of 16. The team will be part of Group I and action is expected to begin in late January. The break at continental level will focus on the domestic league and efforts to improve the current record of 5-8.
Photo credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL