Unicaja Baloncesto has reached an agreement to sign Lithuanian-Canadian small forward Ignas Brazdeikis (27 years old, 2.01m) for the upcoming season. The international player arrives from Zalgiris Kaunas.
A new addition to the perimeter. Unicaja Baloncesto has reached an agreement to sign Lithuanian-Canadian small forward Ignas Brazdeikis (27 years old, 2.01m) for the upcoming season. This is a player who, despite his youth, boasts an impressive resume that includes stints with both EuroLeague and NBA teams.
The wing, who represents Lithuania's national team, arrives from Zalgiris Kaunas, where he has played the last two seasons. It is also worth noting that Brazdeikis is one of the standout small forwards of the last four EuroLeague seasons, which he has competed in with the Kaunas squad (2022-23, 2024-25, and 2025-26) and with Olympiacos of Greece (2023-24).
Developed at Michigan (NCAA) with NBA Experience
Ignas Brazdeikis began his career at the prestigious University of Michigan in the NCAA, where he had a stellar year in the 2018-19 season, earning selection to the All-Big Ten second team in 2019, being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and included in the Big Ten All-Freshman team. That impressive performance in his only college year earned him selection at No. 47 in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, though his rights were traded to the New York Knicks.
He began his NBA career in the "Big Apple," where he spent nearly two full seasons (2019-21), during which he also saw minutes with the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the franchise. In March 2021, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he appeared in just one game.
Weeks later, he joined the Orlando Magic through the end of the season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2 assists in eight games played. After the season concluded, he signed a two-way contract with the Florida franchise, allowing him to appear in 42 games in 2021-22 with both the Magic—averaging 5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes—and the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G-League.
Heading to Europe
Following this final North American experience, he made the jump to Europe to join Zalgiris of his native Kaunas. He spent the 2022-23 season in the Baltic city, putting together a strong campaign both in the Lithuanian league (a competition he won along with the King Mindaugas Cup) and in the EuroLeague, which led to a signing with one of the continent's top clubs, Greek Olympiacos.
In Piraeus during the 2023-24 season, he won the Greek Super Cup and Greek Cup, though limited minutes due to strong competition at his position prompted his return a year later to Kaunas.
Upon his return to Zalgiris, Brazdeikis established himself as one of the Baltic squad's most prominent players, helping them win two Lithuanian leagues (2024-25 and 2025-26) and two King Mindaugas Cups (2025 and 2026). In fact, the small forward was named MVP of the 2025 edition, averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists for a rating of 20, including 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in the final. In the 2025-26 season, he posted 8.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in the Lithuanian league.
Key Player for Lithuania's National Team
Raised in Canada, Ignas Brazdeikis played youth basketball for the North American country, with which he won a silver medal at the FIBA Americas U-16 Championship and competed in the U-17 World Championship.
However, upon reaching adulthood, Brazdeikis began representing Lithuania. He made his debut at EuroBasket 2022 with the European squad, posting 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. His performance was particularly notable against Spain in the Round of 16, where he recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds, including a putback that sent the game to overtime, where they ultimately fell short.
A year later, he was part of the roster that competed in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which finished in sixth place, averaging 11 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Recently, he was part of the squad competing in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifying Window, posting 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists for a rating of 15.8, serving as one of the pillars of a country where basketball is a religion.
Now, Ignas Brazdeikis faces what will be his first experience in the Liga Endesa and BCL with Unicaja. During the upcoming season, the Málaga side will be able to enjoy the vertical, physical, aggressive, and versatile play of the team's new addition, capable of changing a game's momentum with his energy and ability to attack the rim.
Welcome, Iggy!