Stingers Add Shooting, Experience with Martynas Varnas
The veteran pro brings over a decade of experience from Lithuania
EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday the signing of 6’5” guard Martynas Varnas. The Lithuanian native has spent the past six seasons playing professionally in his home country’s top tier LKL, following five seasons in the league’s second division, the NKL.
“I’m excited to join the team this summer,” said Varnas. “I believe this summer is going to be special.”
Varnas is currently completing his season with BC Šiauliai of the LKL, averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 assists per game on a team-high 45.2% three-point percentage, scoring a career-high 28 points with 4 made three-pointers on November 2nd. It is his third season with the club, playing in 86 games since the 2020-21 season. It is his first multi-year stint with one team since joining the LKL, playing one season each with Prienai, Nevezis, and Pieno Zvaogzdes since 2017-18, appearing in 95 games across that stretch and averaging 6.6 points per game.
In 2016-17, Varnas played two games with the Zalgiris Kaunas, which would go on to capture the LKL title for the seventh consecutive year and 24th overall. At the time, he was a full-time member of Zalgiris Kaunas II,–the second tier counterpart to Zalgiris Kaunas– of the NKL. He had been a member of Zalgiris Kaunas II for 6 seasons prior, playing in 111 games with Zalgiris Kaunas II and averaging 10.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
"Competing in one of the world’s top leagues, Martynas brings a great deal of FIBA experience to the Stingers,” said Jordan Baker, Stingers head coach. “His length, athleticism, and ability to stretch the floor will allow him to make an immediate impact this summer.”
The Stingers begin their 2023 season with back-to-back games against the Calgary Surge May 27 and 28, first in Calgary then at home at the Flair Airlines Hangar in the Edmonton EXPO Centre. With the home opener officially sold out, tickets to all remaining home games are still available online (www.thestinger.ca/tickets) or by contacting the Stingers front office via email (tickets@thestingers.ca) or phone (1-87STINGERS). Special rates for group tickets and flex packs are available.