Stenas Markusas Adamsonas was a standout at the European Youth (under 18) Championship.
The 18-year-old, 203 cm tall Estonian representing Kaunas “Žalgiris” youth team helped his national team secure tenth place, posting solid stats.
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The forward scored 14.3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds per game.
Although the game was up and down, he ultimately scored 25 points against the Lithuanian youth team and led the Estonian team to victory in the 9-12 place match. In the end, the Estonians finished tenth, the Lithuanians eleventh.
Last year, the Estonian who left the sports gymnasium in Estonia for Kaunas “Žalgiris” told the newspaper “Postimees” that he chose the Lithuanian team over other offers in Europe.
“I am a tall and mobile player, they expect me to become a tall point guard or a creative forward who can handle the ball, score points, and defend well,” said the Estonian. “They see my high potential.”
Now S.M. Adamson told “Postimees” that he gained the necessary experience during the season in Kaunas.
According to S.M. Adamson, upon arriving in Lithuania, he encountered a different level of professionalism in basketball.
“The difference is quite noticeable. The level is higher, and the competition is stronger, but the biggest difference is clearly professionalism,” said the Estonian about the season at the Kaunas club. “The team staff is very large, each coach has their own area of responsibility, and a lot of attention is paid even to the smallest details.”
S.M. Adamson said that under such conditions, he himself wants to give his all to work every day, so he feels much improved.
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The forward, playing in men’s competitions for the first time, scored 6.8 points and grabbed 2.4 rebounds per game for the “Žalgiris” reserve team in the NKL championship.
The league drained energy and threw him off balance during the season, but for the upcoming season, S.M. Adamson hopes for more responsibilities in the “Žalgiris” reserve team and to get closer to the main team.
“I want a more prominent leadership role in the team and the best possible season,” said the basketball player.
He hopes to get more opportunities to train with the “Žalgiris” main team and get his first minutes in the LKL championship.
“The most important thing is to work and improve every day,” said the Estonian.
In the long term, S.M. Adamson is looking towards the US college championships (NCAA), where many European basketball talents compete due to favorable conditions for young players.
The Estonian had decided to get there even before joining Kaunas “Žalgiris”.
“Of course, the NCAA is one of my main goals, I always think about it,” confirmed S.M. Adamson, acknowledging that he receives attention from US universities but now wants to focus on the season and the opportunity to prove his talent to “Žalgiris”.
