Kevin Pangos is a 25 year old 188cm points guard that has the Canadian/Slovenian citizenship and is playing his third professional season and second with B.C.Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) having collected three titles with the Lithuanian team. Last season with  B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) he played 47 games averaging 7.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 78.6%. In the Euroleague played 30 games: averaging 8.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 28.4%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 86.2%. As a rookie he played with Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 33 games averaging 10.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 87.5%; and in the Eurocup played 19 games averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PT: 51.2%, FT: 75.6%. He played at Gonzaga(NCAA) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 143 games and as a senior he played 38 games averaging 11.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 82.4%. He spoke to German Hoops. about basketball.

Kevin thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been to Germany the last years playing in Ludwigsburg, Alba Berlin and Bamberg. What has been your overall impression of the country and it´s basketball?

 Overall it seems like a great country for basketball. Each of the games I have played there, the fans have been very supportive of the team and created great atmospheres.

 At Gonzaga you were teammates with Germans Elias Harris and Matis Monnighof. What memories do you have of these guys as teammates?

I really enjoyed playing with both of them at Gonzaga. They were really talented players and good guys to hang out with off the court as well. I had a chance to catch up with Elias when we went to Bamberg earlier this season.

What memories do you have of the tough 92-89 OT loss against Ludwigsburg where you scored 31 points? Do you feel like this was your real professional breakout game?

I remember it being really intense and difficult game. It was an up and down game where both teams were shooting the ball really well and they just happened to pull out the win at the end. 

 B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas held on to players, but also got new ones with Brandon Davies, Aaron White and Alex Toupane. What has been the secret for playing so well in the LkL league and especially Euroleague where you belong to the top teams.

Our team had a bunch of returning guys from last season who knew the system already and had great chemistry and then we added really talented players this season who did a great job of picking everything up quickly and adding important pieces to our team. 

How important has it been having very talented point guard Vasilije Micic on board for your game? How have you guys profited most from each other´s presence on a daily basis?

He has been great to play with this season. He is a very skilled player who can do a bit of everything. He passes very well, can shoot it and defends so it’s been enjoyable playing with him this season. 

How vital has it also been having high energy coach Sarunas Jasikevicious as head coach. From one point guard to another how much have you been able to learn from him since you arrived?

He has been a great coach to play for and learn from. He had so much experience as a player and understands basketball so well, so I am just trying to continue to learn more from him every day.

You have the complete package at point guard, but have never had the overwhelming stats. Is that a good example of how it is possible to be a very good player where you don´t have to focus and believe what the stats say?

Yes, I believe that winning is the most important aspect of being a great point guard. Our job is to get the team organized on the court and if your team is winning it shows that you are doing what you need to help the team be successful. No matter what the stats show.

As a rookie you played with Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain ACB) playing 33 games averaging 10.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 87.5%. In Eurocup, you played 19 games averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PT: 51.2%, FT: 75.6%. Did you have any wake up call to being a rookie in Europe or was your new home Gran Canaria heaven when you set foot there?

There was a little adjustment period at first. I had to get used to the language barrier and different style of play and rules. But once I got settled in, I loved my time in Gran Canaria. 

 

You played at Gonzaga from 2011-2015. When you look back at that experience what was the most important thing that you got out of the 4 years there?

I had an amazing 4 years at Gonzaga. When I look back, I think I grew both as a person and a player so much each year. I can’t just pin point one thing I would consider to be the most important, because all of the things I was able to do and all of the people I met helped me grow throughout the 4 years.

What memories do you have of the 66-52 2015 NCAA Elite 8 loss to Duke? Was this one of your most disappointing loses in your career?

I think about that game a lot. Duke had a very talented team, but we had a great team that year as well. It’s one of those games where I look back and wonder if a couple possessions here or there had gone differently, what could have been? But overall I don’t get too down over the loss because we had a great season and left it all out there.

You had a great NCAA run in 2015 including beating Iowa. Do you tease your teammate Aaron White sometimes about that loss for him against you?

 Yes, I tease him about that game sometimes when NCAA hoops gets brought up. I remember they had a great team that year and I knew they were going to be a tough opponent. I’m just happy my team got the win because it wouldn’t be fun to talk about it if I were on the losing end

Your very good friends with NBA player Kelly Olynyk. What is something special about him that not many people really know about?

I think some people don’t always realize how hard Kelz worked between his sophomore year and redshirt junior year. A lot of people saw the changes in his game and might have thought it was just time that allowed him to develop. But he was in the gym all the time doing extra work

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

This is probably the most popular locker room debate on every team I have been on in the last couple of years. I think Michael Jordan has got to be at the top still, but LeBron is not far behind at all. What he is able to do every time he steps on the court is impressive to me and I think everyone should just enjoy watching his greatness while he is still playing.

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 I think they can be a scary team to face in the west especially because of how well they shoot the 3. But I just can’t see any team in the west beating the Warriors, they just have too much talent on the roster this year.

Thanks Kevin for the chat.