Keenan Evans has officially returned to Žalgiris Kaunas. The Lithuanian club has brought back the American guard with the aim of strengthening its roster for the 2026-27 EuroLeague season. Evans, 30, began the current season on loan with the London Lions but has now rejoined his former team. According to reports from BasketNews and the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), Žalgiris decided to bring Evans back due to the recurring injury issues faced by their guard, Nigel Williams-Goss. The club needed additional depth in its backcourt, and given his prior experience with the team, Evans proved to be a suitable choice.
Why did Zalgiris bring Keenan Evans back?
Žalgiris had signed a contract with Evans running through the summer of 2026, after which he was sent to the London Lions on loan. The move was intended to help the guard regain his match fitness, confidence, and rhythm following a series of serious injuries. However, due to injuries among players in Žalgiris' backcourt and a challenging start to the EuroLeague season, the club had to reconsider its plans. Evans' return provides the coaching staff with another experienced guard capable of organizing the team's offense, creating scoring opportunities, and offering an additional option within the rotation.
Žalgiris president Paulius Jankūnas explained that this decision was prompted by the recurring injuries faced by Williams-Goss. He also emphasized that Evans is being brought in to assist the team, rather than being expected to single-handedly resolve all of the team's issues.
Keenan Evans stats
This season, Evans has played four EuroCup matches for London, averaging 11.8 points and 2.8 assists while playing 25 minutes per game. His best performance came against La Laguna Tenerife, where he scored 21 points and provided 2 assists in 25 minutes of play.
In an exhibition match against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 12, Evans recorded 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 20 minutes, though the London Lions suffered a heavy 119–66 defeat. In the British Basketball League, Evans has averaged 9.8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, playing 21 minutes per game.
Keenan Evans injuries
Before joining Olympiacos Piraeus, Evans spent two seasons with Žalgiris, where he established himself as one of the top guards in the EuroLeague. However, his career was repeatedly interrupted by serious injuries. At the end of the 2022-23 season, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, and towards the end of the 2023-24 season, he sustained an injury to his patellar ligament. This second injury forced him to miss the entire 2024-25 season.
Eventually, Evans made his EuroLeague debut for Olympiacos in the 2025-26 season, but he suffered another Achilles injury in his very first match. Consequently, his stint with the renowned Greek club came to an end after he had played only a single official EuroLeague game.
