Keenan Evans has been through a very difficult period, having practically missed the last two seasons due to severe injuries. However, after rejoining Zalgiris, he now has the chance to demonstrate once again why he was one of the most sought-after guards just two years ago.
Keenan Evans shone in a Zalgiris jersey, proving himself as one of the premier guards in the EuroLeague, before securing a transfer to Olympiacos. That move was supposed to be the crown of his career and a well-deserved spot on one of Europe’s top teams, but he got injured and missed the entire 2024/25 season.
American guard finally returned to the court in November 2025. He scored 15 points in 20 minutes during a Greek Basket League game against Karditsa, marking his first appearance after a long rehabilitation process.
Only a few days later, the 29-year-old made his EuroLeague comeback against his former team in Piraeus. Unfortunately, his return lasted only briefly, as he suffered Achilles tendon injury, forcing him to face another lengthy recovery period.
This summer, he returned to Zalgiris, signing a 1+1 contract, and was immediately sent on loan to the London Lions, where he will try to regain his signature form, while the Lithuanian team retains the option to recall him early from his loan.
“I’m already playing in scrimmage games. I’m training normally and everything is very intense”, he said in an interview for the official Zalgiris website, adding:
“It’s crazy even saying it, but when I suffered my first Achilles tear it was January, and then I was already playing in the pre-season games for the next season. This time the injury happened in November, so I didn’t try to rush myself mentally. I was calm because I knew I had time. Everything is going well.”
He emphasizes that he is now trying to listen to his body and pay attention to the small details, without putting too much pressure on himself and his comeback.
“I try to listen to my body, pay attention to the small details, but at the same time not go crazy every time I feel something. I try to find that balance by listening to myself.”
He also spoke about how much he would love to play for Zalgiris again, explaining how he envisioned that moment.
“As we’ve said, if the stars align… I think I dream about it often: returning to the court, seeing only green, and hearing the chants all around me”, he said, before concluding:
“It would give me the biggest possible goosebumps all over my body to play my first game there. I always dreamed of coming back. Maybe I imagined the return under different circumstances, but it would be amazing.”
