HoopsHype.com Rumors

Besides the independent judge's decision, Euroleague Basketball has decided to ban for life the access or participation of the aggressors, the brothers Nauris and Normunds Macius, in any event directly organized by the company, including Turkish Airlines Euroleague and Eurocup games. Euroleague Basketball will work together with international basketball stakeholders to study a system for communicating and enforcing bans in other competitions. In parallel, it will recommend that the aggressors are banned from all basketball events, including club and national-team games. Euroleague.net

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Jon de la Presa: While player´s association were asking for a 100.000 € fine to Zalgiris Kaunas, Euroleague fined the lithuanian team with just 25.000 €. Twitter @jondelapresa

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Spain, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Upon returning to Madrid on Friday, Rudy Fernandez made the following statements: “I am fine. Thank God things did not go further. I have to say thanks for the support of everyone that has contacted me through social networks and private messages. I am not enjoying this; people have to know that basketball cannot get dirty this way. Things like this don’t have to happen again. I think that people should not think that all Lithuanian fans are like that just because of these two people. Not at all. In the game, as always in all games, there was some tension, but I was respected at all times, which is the most important thing. This happened because of these two and that’s the image I keep. Something worse could have happened; I hope it never happens again. I hope [the media] respect me a bit because I am struggling, but I would like to thank those who have supported me and will carry on supporting me.” TrendBasket

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Spain, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Niki Bakouli: Rudy: "This should never happen again" realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/e… Twitter @Eurohoopsnet

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Spain, Zalgiris Kaunas 

This picture was taken earlier on today as the two men that reportedly punched Real Madrid's Rudy Fernandez were released from prison and headed straight to the bar for a beer. The Macius brothers, well-known cult figures in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas waited for Real Madrid, especially Fernandez to leave the Zalgirio Arena after Zalgiris' 105-104 loss to the Liga Endesa side last night. Once they assaulted the Spanish international, they were both quickly arrested by Lithuanian Police and held overnight for questioning. TalkBasket

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Euroleague Basketball has opened an investigation into incidents that took place after an overtime victory by Real Madrid on the road against Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania on Thursday night. Real Madrid has reported the incident and is preparing all documents concerning an alleged aggression by fans against player Rudy Fernandez. The alleged aggression took place as Real Madrid was boarding its team bus after the game. Euroleague.net

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Fernandez’s attackers are rumoured to be well-known basketball fans in Lithuania, who are famous for their tattoos and love for lithuanian basketball. An article on them can be found on euro-step blog here. TrendBasket

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sarunas Mazalas: Sources say Rudy Fernandez was punched in the face hardly by Lithuanian fan after the Euroleague game. Shame on that! Icident happened hen Fernandez was entering team bus. The fan is Latvian origin with Lith. passport. Marty Pocius confirmed the incident. Real Madrid had their security guy but he didn't react fast enough. Offender was arrested, Fernandez&co went straight to airport. Twitter

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sarunas Mazalas: Fernandez's face was blooded, sources say. Zalgiris expects not to be punished as it happened outside arena. Things like this happen when people are crazy about basketball & get drunk. But those can't be reasons for such a disgraceful behavior. Twitter

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Arvydas Sabonis‘ last season in the NBA was in 2003, after taking a year off from the NBA to play in Europe. During his career he became one of the game’s consummate big men, and even won a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics while competing on behalf of the Soviet Union. Last year, the former Trail Blazer suffered a heart attack playing basketball and was advised by doctors not to engage in such rigorous activity — by the looks of things, Sabonis may have let himself go a bit in his post-playing days. As if doctors could stop him. Last week Sabonis suited up for his hometown Lithuanian team Žalgiris Kaunas as part of a legends game in which they took on a club from Moscow. There are any numbers of reasons that the below highlights are hilarious, among them are Sabonis’ size advantage and apparent lack of conviction on defense. NESN.com

Arvydas Sabonis, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Jeff Foote is set to replace Robertas Javtokas in Zalgiris' roster, Kauno Diena daily reports. The club needed to add a center as Lithuanian national team captain will be out of action for at least 4-6 months. The 25-year-old American center comes from NBDL team Springfield Armor where he averaged 14.6 points and 9 rebounds per game. TalkBasket

Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas, Jeff Foote 

The European experience of Sonny Weems is over. The American player reached an agreement with Zalgiris Kaunas to part ways after the season-ending ankle injury he suffered a few days ago. Weems signed with Zalgiris Kaunas last summer a one-year deal without NBA out and he showed his potential in the four competitions he has played this season. Sportando

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems might have his eye on a return to the NBA, but can he leave Lithuania? Weems’ team has been eliminated from Euroleague title contention, but his coach says he expects Weems to stay with Zalgaris Kaunas through the end of the domestic Lithuanian league and the regional VTB league seasons. “I do believe Sonny will remain through the rest of the season,” Zalgiris coach Aleksandar Trifunovic said after Maccabi Tel-Aviv knocked off Kaunas 70-66 to clinch a spot in the Euroleague playoffs. SheridanHoops

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems will not be allowed to leave Euroleague team Zalgiris, owner Vladimir Romanov has told RIA Novosti. Weems joined Zalgiris during the lockout, but wrote on his blog Tuesday that he would seek to leave unless Zalgiris beat Barcelona on Thursday to keep alive the Lithuanian team’s hopes of reaching the Euroleague Top 8. “I don’t know what Weems is writing, but he will serve out his contract to the end and will be going nowhere from this club,” Romanov said Wednesday. RIA Novosti

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Weems, 25, has not responded to Romanov’s comments, but wrote Tuesday that he had had talks with Romanov, who also owns Heart of Midlothian football club in Scotland. “I've been in discussions with my agent Roger Montgomery and owner Vladimir Romanov and see where the future lies. We've had strong discussions with the owner to see what can we do if we don't make it [to the Top 8], but I don't think I will stay around for the end of the Lithuanian League,” Weems wrote. RIA Novosti

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: I've been in discussions with my agent Roger Montgomery and owner Vladimir Romanov and see where the future lies. We've had strong discussions with the owner to see what can we do if we don't make it, but I don't think I will stay around for the end of the Lithuanian League. I want to keep playing with Zalgiris and make the Top 8. We'll see if I stay playing the Lithuanian League and the VTB League, which is competitive but it's not like the Euroleague. I came over here to play the Euroleague and there's no more Euroleague... If we don't make the Top 8, I will probably go back to the NBA, but you never know. We'll know in about two weeks or so. HoopsHype

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Some people ask me about the Raptors. Well, Toronto is not my team. They don't mention me in their future plans or anything like that. A couple other NBA teams are really interested in me and that's what I'm looking for. I'm not just focused on Toronto because you read articles about the team and my name never comes up. I'll just focus on finishing this season and find the best possible team. I have some overseas teams also interested, but my main goal is going back to the NBA. If it's not possible, I'll stay in Europe. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: Almantas Kiveris,Zalgiris director of communication,said today that there are no chance for Sonny Weems to leave Zalgiris before season ends Twitter

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: 'Sonny Weems has a contract with Zalgiris till the end of season without any out. There is no clause for him to break the agreement' Twitter

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

J. Michael Falgoust: Just chatted w/ #Nuggets G @Ty Lawson. Strangest about playin n Lithuania? ALL players clothes was washed together. Community underwear #nba Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas