Rebounding ace Travis Watson joins Zalgiris 0

Zalgiris Kaunas added a major force to its frontline by signing former Euroleague rebounding champ Travis Watson. The big man led the league in rebounding with 9.7 per game for Armani Jeans Milano two seasons ago. Zalgiris and Watson (203, 28) agreed to a one-year deal with a team option for a second season. Watson arrives from Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem, where he posted 11.2 points on 68.1% shooting and 8.7 rebounds over 25 minutes in 23 games last season, helping the team reach the Israeli League final four. Watson also had 14.1 points and 11.1 boards in seven EuroChallenge games. A formidable rebounder at every stop in his career, Watson’s average of 8.3 rebounds per game is fourth best in Euroleague history. After a strong college career at the University of Virginia, Watson moved to Europe and has played in Greece for Panionios, where he was twice the Greek League’s rebounding champ, and in Italy for Climamio Bologna and Milano. Among his career highlights are winning the Italian championship with Bologna and a silver medal with the United States national team at the Under-19 World Championships in 1999.