Kaukenas: “Siena Is a Special Place to Me. Minucci Was Like a Father.”

Corriere di Siena

He was the game day’s big ex, greeted with a standing ovation by all of PalaEstra and a banter in the curve section while the teams were presented: “It’s Always Nice Embracing a Friend Again. Ciao Rimas”. After the game, Rimantas Kaukenas, confessed, “It was really incredible hearing the fans during warmups. I’m really touched. I didn’t want everyone to see me so emotional, but I didn’t want to try to hide it either. I can’t describe what I feel. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again and I’ll say it a million times over that this is a special place for me. This is home, these are my friend, and this is a place that gave me so many special moments. I’ll never forget it. Ferdinando Minucci was like a father to me.”  Learning of the club and team’s problems really hit him in the gut: “It’s too bad. Mens Sana is too important, not just to Siena but to all of European basketball. You get the impression that it’s a place where people love basketball even more than soccer; where each and every person works hard. It’s got to keep being this way and growing to find the strength to continue because it’s one of the most important clubs on the continent. Everyone’s wanted to come here the past ten years because you improve here; a sign that everyone knows what they’re doing.”