The Latvian forward returns to the EuroLeague after six years away
Baskonia adds size, athleticism with Rodions Kurucs
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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has added size and athleticism by signing forward Rodions Kurucs to a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.
Kurucs (2.06 meters, 27 years old) arrives from fellow Spanish side Murcia, where he played the last two years.
Last season, Kurucs posted 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in Spanish League action, as well as 8.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in the Basketball Champions League. He now returns to the EuroLeague, where he made five appearances over two seasons with FC Barcelona, having made his debut in 2016-17 campaign.
Kurucs joined Barcelona as a teenager after coming through at VEF Riga in his native Latvia. Kurucs had been a standout player at youth level. He helped Barcelona win the 2016 adidas NextGen EuroLeague crown as an All-Tournament selection and also helped Latvia win a silver medal at the U16 European Championship in 2014.
He then went on to spend three years in the NBA between 2018 and 2021, the first two with Brthe Brooklyn Nets, then one in which he also played with the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks. He played a total of 131 games in the NBA over three years, averaging 16 minutes per game and posting 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds.
The Latvian returned to Europe in 2021, joining Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, and split the 2022-23 season between Real Betis in Spain and Strasbourg in France.