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“It wouldn’t be easy for me to go to bed tonight,” laughed Šarūnas Jasikevičius, surprised by Kaunas ‘Žalgiris’ bold debut in the Euroleague.
That was last October: K. Kriisa stepped on the parquet at the end of the match with Vilerbano ASVEL (France), caused the opponent to miss, shot a free kick and rejoiced along with the entire arena “Žalgiris” raised his finger to the sky .
“Unesthetic” – as Š. Jasikevičius – Estonian Lithuanian champion arrived in Kaunas in 2018 from Germany.
After the season in the Žalgiris-2 team in the National Basketball League (NKL) and the Most Useful Player Award in the Euroleague youth selection tournament, K. Kriisa was briefly invited to the main team when the defense line was cut by injuries.
But the “promotion” was only temporary, and later he was waiting for a business trip to Prienus, the “Cbet” team, to which “Žalgiris” lends his closest reservation.
It was also difficult to establish himself in the ranks of the mediocre Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). K. Kriisa played 10 games on the field, averaging just 14 minutes on the field. and collecting statistics for 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds.
After joining the quarantine, Estonians began to think about the future.
“When I was on the Prienai team, I understood what it means to play in a professional club. But not in “Žalgiris”. At the same time, I realized that I definitely would not be playing for the “Žalgiris” main team for two or three years, at least for as many minutes as I wanted. So I decided that I could improve faster in the United States. ” Delphi K. Kriisa said.
In April, he made the final decision that starting next season, the organizer of the attack will study at the University of Arizona and play in the U.S. NCAA Student League.
K. Kriisa did not expand explaining what was missing in Prienai.
“I don’t want to talk about Prienus, I had my own concerns there. Let’s just say it wasn’t my place.
With Paulius Motiejūnas and Robertas Javtokas (Director of Žalgiris and Director of Sports – Delphi) we discuss my future. I am so grateful that they understood my desire to play in the NCAA, ”recalled his divorce from Žalgiris.
Therefore, K. Kriisa left without being able to learn to speak Lithuanian, as well as his compatriot and the Estonian national team captain Siimas-Sander Vene, who belonged to Žalgiris in 2006-2016, still speaks.
It is true that the player will still have opportunities to improve their knowledge of the Lithuanian language. At the University of Arizona, twin brothers Oak and Tautvilas Tubeliai will play with him.
Who have been fierce rivals of the NKL so far, because they represented the main opponents of the Vilnius “Pearl” field.
The twins can now become even closer Estonian friends.
“Both brothers are my friends. Of course, we didn’t make friends in the plaza, but outside they are very good. I look forward to playing with them on a team, ”said K. Kriisa.
He chose Arizona without even knowing that he would have a company he already knew there.
K. Kriisa did not know that questions about her “godfather” would arise immediately.
Kerras is an unusual name for an Estonian. And how not to draw parallels here between him and one of the most famous graduates of the University of Arizona, eight-time NBA champion Steve Kerr.
“Actually, I didn’t even know Steve was playing there, I only found out when I started talking to the university.” It was a lot of fun for them to have that name. After all, the world is small, there are strange coincidences, ”K. Kriisa shrugged.
To him, the subject of the name doesn’t seem as funny as that of those around him.
The prospective student did not respond if his father Valmo Kriisa, a member of the Estonian national team from 1995 to 2011 and the best basketball player in the country in 2007, chose a rare name due to his admiration for the legendary former Chicago Bulls sniper, who already earned the title of boss. Warriors of the Golden State.
“I don’t know, ask my father,” Kriisa didn’t speak.
But when Delphi After Friday’s game with the Lithuanian national team heard the same thing again, the Estonian defender no longer laughed.
In the opening duel of the “Baltic Way” tournament, he scored 8 triples, even S. Kerras might be envious.
The 19-year-old scored 26 points and 33 utility points, and Estonia, led by him, broke Darius Maskoliūnas’ students 92:85.
K. In the place of the crisis Š. Jasikevičius probably wouldn’t have gone to bed this week this time.
“He played amazingly. Nail, confident. I had not seen him much before, and he looked impressive here, with his arrogant passes he destroyed our defense with great force ”, surprised the captain of the Lithuanian national team Mantas Kalnietis.
“K. The crisis showed that perhaps it was worth staying in Kaunas. Or at least tried, tried. I would say that the young man played a really good game,” added D. Maskoliūnas, who has worked on Žalgiris’ coaching staff so far.
Perhaps K. Kriisa was worth staying in Kaunas, and perhaps he was worth continuing to play in Europe himself?
TO Delphi asked Estonian national team strategist Jukka Toijala, who does not have an unequivocal answer.
“He only turned 19 this year, so it is too early to decide which professional leadership is best. It will be very interesting to see how Kerr succeeds. We are aware that it is not easy for European advocates to adapt to the United States. But Kerr He is a very ambitious young man ready to work. Whatever happens in Arizona, he is strong enough to become a good player. Time will respond, “said a specialist from Finland.
We remind you that on Saturday, starting at 7:30 p.m., the Lithuanian national team will play another match, this time with the representative team of Latvia.
At the same time, on Sunday, Estonia will meet with Latvia.
The international “Baltic Way” tournament in Tallinn is organized on the occasion of the Estonian basketball century.
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