Rytas adds a 31-year-old sniper to the roster

Less than four weeks before the official start of the season, Rytas Vilnius signed a one-year contract with another newcomer. The team announces that American Keith Hornsby will wear the black-white-red jersey next year.

The 193 cm tall shooting guard played in the first French league last year, where he represented the Nanterre 92 club. In the championship, he averaged 14 points (45% triples), 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds.

"Rytas is one of the few teams that I knew even before I moved to play in Europe", mentions the club's newcomer. "What I learned about quite recently is how dedicated and energetic the team's fans are. I watched a few matches of "Ryto" in last year's Champions League and the fans were simply amazing", says Hornsby.

The defender adds that his whole family is happy about this decision and they are looking forward to getting to know Vilnius.

"I am very happy that I am coming to play in Lithuania - a country that loves basketball and it will be a great honour for me to represent one of the best teams in the country. I've heard great things about your capital, so don't be surprised if you find me and my family exploring the streets of the old town on a day off".

After graduating from the NCAA, K. Hornsby spent three seasons in the NBA G League, where he represented the Texas Legends team. Rytas rookie, who became the team's leader in the third season, shot 49.1 per cent from the three-point line and he was the most accurate sniper in the entire league.

K. Hornsby showed an even better shot two years later when in the 2020-21 season representing Ewe Baskets. In 33 games, he hit more three-pointers than missed (82/158) and recorded a 51.9 per cent average.

"Keith is a lethal shooter who can completely change the course of a game with his accurate shots. He is a very high-level professional, who plays well not only in the offence but also in the defence", Rytas's assistant G. Dedas assessed the player. "Yes, this guard is a different style of player than Marcus, but with his shooting and athleticism, he has the potential to change the face of our team. The player has a lot of experience and a mentality that matches other basketball players, and we are also impressed by his desire to join our team."

This will be the American's fifth season in Europe, he has already played in the Champions League and the Eurocup. K. Hornsby started his European journey in 2019 in Poland, and later played in the highest German and French leagues. In addition to the aforementioned Oldenburg Ewe Baskets and Nanterre 92 teams, he also wore the jerseys of Torun Twarde Pierniki and Paris Metropolitans 92.

In the young Vilnius team, the 1992-born basketball player is the oldest player.

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