London Lions are set for a three-game pre-season trip to Kaunas as Tautvydas Sabonis continues shaping his squad for the new campaign.
The Lions are due to play at the Žalgiris training centre between 1 and 5 September, with fixtures lined up against Panevėžys Lietkabelis, Baku Sabah and Utenos Juventus.
It gives London another useful European test window before the season starts, with games against established opposition from Lithuania and Azerbaijan. For a Lions side rebuilding under Sabonis, the trip should offer an early measure of chemistry, depth and how quickly the new-look group is adapting to his system.
The Lithuanian link around the club is also significant. London’s coaching staff has a strong Lithuanian core, while the playing group includes Emilis Žibūda and two players loaned from Kauno Žalgiris: Maxwell Lewis and Keenan Evans.
Lewis’ arrival added NBA Draft pedigree to the Lions’ wing rotation, while Evans brings high-level European experience as he works back into competitive rhythm. Žibūda, meanwhile, gives the club another young Lithuanian connection as London prepares for a demanding domestic and European schedule.
The Kaunas fixtures sit alongside a busy pre-season programme for the Lions, who are also preparing to host the London Lions Invitational at the Copper Box Arena on 10 and 11 September, featuring Žalgiris Kaunas, Paris Basketball and Śląsk Wrocław.
For UK fans, the trip is another sign of London’s intent to test themselves against strong European opposition before competitive action begins.