INDIANAPOLIS (NBA) - Lithuania international Sarunas Jasikevicius has admitted to missing life in Israel but wants to stay in North America to play in the NBA.
"I'm missing Maccabi Tel Aviv," Jasikevicius told the sport5.co.il. "But even though I love Maccabi very much, my place is here."
The 30-year-old guard, almost certain to play for his country at the FIBA World Championship this summer, has just completed his rookie season in the NBA, having joined the Indiana Pacers after a distinguished career in Europe.
The University of Maryland product played for Barcelona and Maccabi Tel Aviv, collecting national titles and Euroleague titles with both teams.
He has found life in the NBA more difficult.
Although he began the season well, earning the right to play in the Rookie Challenge at the All-Star weekend, he has struggled to maintain his early form.
In the final two months of the season he shot only 34% and slipped down the pecking order. By the end of the season, his averages were at 7.3 points per game and 3.0 assists in 75 games.
Jasikevicius admitted the season had been a "disappointment" but he believes he will be a success in the NBA.
"When I came into the situation here, I thought things will be different," Jasikevicius said.
"Apparently, things went in the wrong way. I was very glad with my performance at the season's first 50 games. . . . Toward the end of this season, strange things happened here. Things changed. I talked a couple of times to coach (Rick) Carlisle, but he didn't tell me anything. But he's the coach, and he's the one making the decisions.
"It's normal to hear people talking about changes. There are some free agents and I'm sure that some changes will be made.
"I want to stay here, if it will be in the Pacers or any other NBA team."
PA Sport