Latest:
jun 17 2026Zalgiris Kaunas has completed the signing of Maxwell Lewis, an American small forward with NBA experience, on a long-term contract through the 2028/29 season.
The Lithuanian club, the reigning LKL champion, announced the signing of the 23-year-old player under a 2+1 season formula. However, Lewis will not join the Kaunas-based team immediately, as he will spend the upcoming season on loan at London Lions, a EuroCup squad coached by Tautvydas Sabonis, a former Zalgiris assistant.
The move allows Zalgiris to secure the rights to a physically gifted, young player with room for growth, while the player continues his adaptation to European basketball in an important competitive environment.
Lewis already made a strong impression in Lithuania during the second half of last season when he played for Utena Juventus. His impact was crucial in the team's historic qualification for the LKL Finals, where they ultimately fell to Zalgiris.
In the 2024/25 season, he averaged 13.6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 15.4 efficiency rating in the Lithuanian league. His performance grew even stronger in the playoffs, posting 16 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 20.1 efficiency rating across nine games.
Before beginning his European career, first with Tofas Bursa and then in Lithuania, Maxwell Lewis played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. The small forward appeared in 62 games in the American league, averaging 2 points in 6.9 minutes per game.
Selected 40th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lewis becomes Zalgiris' second summer acquisition following the arrival of Saben Lee.
