Virtus Segafredo Bologna added depth and talent to its roster by inking guard Rihards Lomazs for the remainder of the season, the club announced Friday.
Virtus signs guard Lomazs
Lomazs (1.90 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket, where he averaged 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 12 Turkish League games this season, in his second stint with that club. He brings in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague experience, as he took part in 33 games with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, averaging 4.6 points. He started his professional career in his native Latvia, playing for Talso, Ventspils Augstskola, Jurmalas Sports Fenikss and Ventspils before joining ASVEL in 2019. Lomazs also played for Spanish side Casademont Zaragoza.
Back with Coach Banchi
Lomazs has already worked for Virtus head coach Luca Banchi, who also runs the Latvian national team. He helped Latvia qualify to the 2023 World Cup, averaging 15.6 points and 4.0 assists in 10 games. He led his national team to a 9-1 record and a ticket to the World Cup, in which Latvia finished fifth overall without Lomazs, who was injured. He also helped Ventspils win the Latvian League title in 2018 and become the Latvian-Estonian League's original champion in 2023.