Zalgiris Kaunas has strengthened its frontcourt forward of the 2026-27 season by signing middle Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu to a 1+1 contract, the Lithuanian champions introduced on Sunday. The 26-year-old arrives after spending final season with BAXI Manresa, whereas a beforehand agreed take care of Cedevita Olimpija included a EuroLeague exit clause that allowed him to maneuver to Kaunas.
Sporting director Gediminas Navickas mentioned the choice was pushed by each the Nigerian middle’s distinctive talent set and the issue of discovering high quality huge males in the course of the season.
“There have been a number of causes behind the signing. One in all them is that he brings utterly completely different qualities than our different huge males. We additionally discovered from final season that in the event you resolve to strengthen the roster in the course of the season, the market may be very tough. Good gamers should not launched, and we aren’t thinking about poor ones. We determined to make this funding earlier than the season,” Navickas defined.
Akobundu-Ehiogu additionally shared his pleasure after becoming a member of the membership.
“I’m very completely satisfied to change into a part of the green-and-white household. I can’t wait to expertise the unimaginable environment. I’m prepared to offer the whole lot I’ve.”
The 208-centimeter middle is anticipated so as to add elite rim safety to a Zalgiris roster that has undergone a major overhaul this summer season. The membership has already added Jonas Valanciunas, Carsen Edwards, Sterling Brown, Marius Grigonis, Saben Lee, Marek Blazevic and Maxwell Lewis, whereas parting methods with key contributors together with Sylvain Francisco, Moses Wright, Laurynas Birutis and Ignas Brazdeikis.
Akobundu-Ehiogu’s journey to the EuroLeague has been unconventional. Born in Nigeria, he moved to the US as a youngster, started his faculty profession on the NAIA degree, and finally transferred to the College of Memphis, the place he helped the Tigers win the 2023 AAC Event.
He turned skilled in Germany with Tigers Tubingen earlier than transferring to Italy’s Openjobmetis Varese in 2024-25. There he averaged 7.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds and a league-best 2.0 blocks per sport whereas taking pictures an excellent 79.8% from the sphere. Early in that season, he showcased his defensive instincts by recording an eight-block efficiency.
Final season represented one other step ahead as he joined Manresa in Spain. Within the EuroCup, he averaged 4.5 factors, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in simply 13.7 minutes per sport whereas changing 76.7% of his field-goal makes an attempt. His 1.7 blocks per sport led the complete competitors, highlighting the rim safety that has change into his calling card.
He carried that defensive affect into Spain’s Liga ACB, averaging 4.8 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks throughout 34 video games whereas main the league’s high shot blockers. He additionally completed the season taking pictures 80.8% from the sphere, demonstrating his effectivity as a finisher across the basket.
Akobundu-Ehiogu additional raised his profile in the course of the 2026 NBA Summer season League with the Dallas Mavericks. Throughout 5 appearances, he averaged 6.4 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 12 minutes per sport, flashing his athleticism with a number of spotlight dunks.
Zalgiris completed 23-15 in final season’s EuroLeague common season, good for fifth place, earlier than losing to Fenerbahce in the playoff quarterfinals.
