Mindaugas Kuzminskas celebrated new year on a flight, from New York to Milan. He landed, got in touch with his new town, met Mantas Kalnietis,watch horrified Arturs Gudaitis’ ghost – he was severely affected by the flu -, watched his new teammates play in Pesaro on a laptop, passed his physicals, took part in two practices and had to catch a plane again. To Athens. It’s his first EuroLeague trip since Malaga. Should he play the gane it will also be his first competitive outing since November 12, when he finished his one-year adventure with the Knicks.

Kuzminskas will wear his customary number 19 (he was born on October 19) that he had to give up in New York (he wore the 91) because that number was retired to honor the great Willis Reed. He was nicknamed “Cheese” in New York. He had a guaranteed contract for this season but the Knicks had to release somebody because they were over the limit of players under contract. They had to move him to protect the point guards available, Jarrett Jack and Ramon Sessions.

Kuzminskas averaged 15.3 points per game at the last European Championhips including a 20-point high against Greece (he had 23 at the Olympics against Argentina) and had 14 points against Italy. He’s made 114 apperances in the Euroleague combining his Kaunas and Malaga days with 876 points plus 338 rebounds.