Changes in Zalgiris’ front court: two-time EuroLeague champion replaces Hayes 24
Zalgiris Kaunas has made changes to its front line. Zalgiris will be reinforced next season by the signing of a 38-year old American center Bryant Dunston on a season-long contract.
Kevarrius Hayes will not play in Kaunas next season. The club has parted ways with the American by mutual agreement. Hayes has played for Zalgiris for the last two seasons.
“We would like to thank Kevarrius for his time in Kaunas. For the upcoming season we were looking for a player with a slightly different style, who would be more suitable for the current roster. Despite his solid age, Bryant is still highly motivated to win and compete at the highest level. We believe that his experience and leadership qualities will help both the team and the players to reach their potential even faster in the new season,” said Zalgiris GM Gediminas Navickas.
Dunston has 11 consecutive seasons of EuroLeague experience. He made his debut in the Old Continent’s top club tournament in the 2013-2014 season when he joined Olympiacos Piraeus.
After two seasons in Greece, the American spent 8 seasons with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, with whom he won the EuroLeague title in 2021 and 2022.
Last season, the center moved to Italy to represent Virtus Bologna. Dunston reached the play-in with the club, and averaged 4.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocked shots in 19 minutes in the EuroLeague.
Dunston has also won numerous personal accolades in his career, including being named the EuroLeague’s best defensive player of the season twice (2014 and 2015), the tournament’s leader in blocked shots twice (2014 and 2018), and being named to the second symbolic top five in 2017.
The US and Armenian national is second on the list of the most blocked shots in EuroLeague history, behind only Real Madrid giant Walter Tavares.
In his career, Dunston has also played for Mobis Phoebus of South Korea, Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), Bnei Herzliya (Israel), Hapoel Holon (Israel) and Varese (Italy).
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