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Notre Dame Basketball: Martinas Geben Will Play Professionally in Lithuania

By Mason Plummer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 3: Martinas Geben #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots over Jack Salt #33 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on March 3, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 3: Martinas Geben #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots over Jack Salt #33 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on March 3, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Martinas Geben adds himself to the impressive list of former Notre Dame basketball players that have moved on to play basketball professionally.

Everyone loves a good “coming home” story, right? Well that’s exactly what Lithuanian basketball fans got this week as former Notre Dame basketball big man Martinas Geben signed with the Zalgiris Kaunas.

The Kaunas are the defending champions in the Lithuanian LKL.

A mainstay on Lithuania’s national basketball team, a move to play professional in his home country always seemed in the cards for Martinas Geben. Hehas always played very well for Lithuania, and will surely be excited to be back home.

In 2013, Geben led Lithuania to an impressive Top-5 finish at the U19 World Championship. Lithuania is not exactly known as a perennial basketball powerhouse, but Geben could continue to lead them to success in the coming future.

Zalgiris sports director Robertas Javtokas noted in an interview regarding the signing of Geben that he wanted to integrate young Lithuanian players into his team and build for the future. He cited Geben’s growth and maturity on and off the court as a result of playing at the collegiate level in the United States.

It seems Geben has found himself in a great position with Zalgiris.

I personally thought “Marty” would be given a chance in the NBA, but going back home may be what’s best for him. I do think Geben could’ve succeeded in the NBA and been a very solid, consistent guy off the bench. It’s rare to find a center that shoots free-throws and passes as well as Geben.

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He will surely be missed by Mike Brey, the Notre Dame basketball program and Irish fans everywhere.