Sports: Lars moves on


Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net

It’s official. Lars Time is a thing of the past at JPJ.

“I took great pride in being a student athlete at the University of Virginia. I could not see myself transferring to another school, or playing for another college basketball team. Therefore, I have decided to forego my last year of NCAA eligibility and pursue my dream of playing basketball at the professional level,” Mikalauskas said at a news conference held at The Blue Ridge School in Greene County on Thursday. Mikalauskas starred at Blue Ridge before enrolling at the University of Virginia three years ago.

Mikalauskas announced that he has signed with a sports agent and will begin pursuing professional-basketball opportunities abroad. He said he was informed by UVa. coach Dave Leitao last week that he was no longer a member of the Virginia basketball program due to academic-eligibility issues.

Mikalauskas averaged 7.1 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game in 20 games last season for Virginia. The 6-8, 240-pound forward battled shoulder injuries all season.

“I want to thank the University of Virginia for everything it has done for me over the past three years,” Mikalauskas said. “I especially want to thank the fans, my teammates and all who have supported me during my time here. I hope that they felt the emotion that I played with, and saw that I gave it my all every time I wore the Virginia jersey.”

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