EuroLeague: Zalgiris signs Lee after the tough loss of Francisco
The Kaunas team strengthens its squad after the departure of Sylvain Francisco, betting on the talent of the player who last season played for Anadolu Efes.
Saben Lee is in the final stages of closing his incorporation into Zalgiris de Kaunas, one of the most relevant projects in European basketball. The agreement entails a duration of two years and represents a strategic move by the Lithuanian club to strengthen its squad for the upcoming season.
The Kaunas team faces a summer of significant transformations. The departure of Sylvain Francisco opens a gap in the lineup that needs to be filled with guarantees. In this context, Lee's arrival represents an offensive and organizational solution for the Lithuanian team, which aims to maintain its competitiveness in European competitions.
Lee arrives as a candidate to fill the void left by Francisco, bringing with him experience in elite leagues and a consolidated international background. His addition is part of the club's strategy to assemble a competitive team capable of aiming for ambitious goals in the next season.
The American point guard has an extensive resume in European basketball. Last season, he played games with Olympiacos before joining Anadolu Efes, where he had an interesting campaign. Wearing the Turkish team's jersey, Lee participated in 16 EuroLeague games, averaging 11.2 points per game, along with 3.1 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game.
These figures reflect his ability to generate plays and contribute to scoring, traits that align with the profile sought by Zalgiris. His versatility and experience in top-level competitions make him a significant signing for the Lithuanians.
Before establishing himself in Europe, Lee began his career in the NBA after graduating from Vanderbilt University. The player completed two seasons with the Detroit Pistons and later moved on to the Philadelphia 76ers, gaining experience in the American league. His stint with the Phoenix Suns allowed him to gain momentum before deciding to seek new opportunities in Europe.
His first European destination was the Turkish Manisa, where he started to adapt to continental basketball. Subsequently, he reinforced Maccabi Tel Aviv in a period that provided him with experience in a competitive league. After this break, he returned to Manisa to continue his development in European basketball.
Euroliga, Zalgiris' Objective
Since his return to Europe, Lee has played for prominent clubs. His signing with Olympiacos represented a qualitative leap in his career, enabling him to compete at the highest level. Subsequently, in December 2025, he joined Anadolu Efes, where he has demonstrated his ability to play in the EuroLeague regularly and contribute significantly.
The next stage with Zalgiris represents a new opportunity to establish himself as a key player in an ambitious project. The Lithuanian club bets on his experience and his ability to make a difference in crucial moments of the season.
This signing reflects the dynamics of the summer transfer market in European basketball, where teams seek to strengthen themselves with players who bring international experience and offensive capabilities. Lee joins Zalgiris' moves in a summer of changes that promises to shape a competitive team for the coming years.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Euroliga: El Zalgiris cierra a Lee tras la dura pérdida de Francisco
