ESP - Giddens excited about Valencia switch

VALENCIA (ACB/Euroleague) - JR Giddens didn't make it to the Top 16 of the Euroleague with Asseco Prokom but he'll compete in that phase of the competition anyway with Power Electronics Valencia.

The shooting guard was on Tuesday morning unveiled in Valencia as the Spanish club's latest signing.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity and very happy to be in a competition like the ACB and the Top 16 of the Euroleague," Giddens said.

"With the arrival of the new coach (Svetislav Pesic), the team has made a turn.

"He's a great coach and I'm excited to play for him.

"Right now my goal is to give everything until the end of season."

Giddens shot 47.4% from behind the arc and averaged nine points for Prokom during the Euroleague Regular Season.

He has joined Valencia, who were playing without the services of injured sharpshooter Jeremy Richardson.

Valencia president Vicente Solá said: "It's a happy day for the club. Giddens has signed until the end of season.

"From a human point of view, he is a very willing person who relates well with teammates and is eager to win in Valencia.”

Valencia won four of their last five games in the Regular Season to reach the Euroleague Top 16, and they are also now fourth in the ACB after winning for the eighth consecutive time in Spain's top flight on Sunday at Manresa.

"We have a very demanding schedule shortly with the classification for the Top 16 of the Euroleague and possible qualification for the Copa (del Rey)," Solá said.

In Lithuania, meanwhile, Lietuvos Rytas is still in transition following Sarunas Jasikevicius' decision to leave the club and join Fenerbahce Ulker.

Jasikevicius, one of the great players in recent Lithuanian basketball history, joined the Vilnius outfit for the second time in his career and helped them reach the Top 16.

But the 34-year-old exercised a get-out clause during the winter break and moved to Fener, a club he believes can reach the Final Four.

Lietuvos Rytas bolstered their line-up with the acquisition of Lithuania international Simas Jasaitis.

They have decided to part ways with point guard Jerry Johnson, who didn't play any games this season in the Euroleague because of injury.

Johnson has moved to Turkey to play for Galatasaray.

FIBA