Ukrainian center Alexey Lenny has prematurely ended his collaboration with the Spanish basketball club Baskonia from Vitoria-Gasteiz. This was officially announced by the team's press service, and the information was confirmed by the Sport RBC.UA publication with reference to the club's website. The termination of the two-year agreement took place by mutual consent of both parties just nine days after its signing — so swift was the departure of one of the most experienced players in Ukrainian basketball.
One Practice and a Missed Supercup
According to the official statement by Baskonia, Lenny never managed to make his debut in his new club's uniform. The veteran completed only one practice with the team, after which he felt discomfort in his foot. As a result, the 33-year-old center was forced to miss the Spanish Supercup match, in which Baskonia faced Joventut. Thus, his statistical contribution to the new team was limited to zero minutes played in official competitions.
Plantar Fasciitis as the Root of the Problem
Spanish media, citing medical data, indicate that the foot discomfort is related to the consequences of an injury sustained back in the previous season. At that time, Lenny was playing for Real Madrid, where he was battling a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis — a chronic inflammation of the foot's fascia, which often recurs in basketball players with extensive experience. After several days of medical consultations and examinations, the club and the player concluded that the optimal solution would be the early termination of the contract. This will give the player the necessary time for full recovery and a calm preparation for the further continuation of his career.
Twelve NBA Seasons Behind Him
It is worth noting that Alexey Lenny has 12 seasons of appearances in the National Basketball Association behind him. He spent time in the rosters of several league teams, becoming one of the few Ukrainian basketball players to reach such a level of tenure in elite world basketball. His return to Europe after such a long period in the NBA was perceived as a logical step to continue his career at a high level, however, an injury prevented the realization of these plans right at the start.
What's Next: The Career Continues
The termination of the contract with Baskonia does not mean the end of Lenny's playing career. On the contrary, both sides emphasize that the decision was made for the sake of full recovery. The 33-year-old center, possessing enormous experience, has every chance to find a new club in Europe after completing his treatment course. In the Ukrainian basketball community, the news was received with understanding: the player's health comes first, and nine days in Baskonia's roster is not a failure, but an objective medical situation faced by many veterans of professional sports.
