Barnes Welcomes Creighton Transfer Kancleris to CSUB

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The newest addition to the CSU Bakersfield men's basketball program is a 6-foot-9 transfer from Creighton as Modestas Kancleris, a native of Lithuania, has agreed to join Head Coach Rod Barnes' squad next season.

"We are very excited about Mo," Barnes said of the future Roadrunner. "Mo has a great skillset that we feel fits our program. His versatility allows us to play him both inside and outside. His 6-foot-9 frame will allow him to make an immediate impact on our team."

Kancleris will come to Bakersfield after two seasons as a member of the Creighton Bluejays. In his first year in Omaha, Neb., the forward suffered an ACL injury a month before the season began and he missed the entire campaign. In 2021-22, Kancleris returned from injury and made his collegiate debut, playing 33 minutes over 14 games for the Bluejays, who fell to eventual National Champion Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Barnes also added that Kancleris adds off-the-court benefits to the CSUB program: "Mo is a fun and gentle-hearted person who our community will embrace and love the moment he steps foot on campus. He shares our values and we cannot wait to work with him."

Before arriving in Omaha, Kancleris gained invaluable experience competing for European powerhouse BC Zalgris for four seasons. The forward was named to the 2019 adidas Next Generation Tournament All-Star Team after averaging 13 points and eight rebounds with the club team. He also gained exposure at the Jordan Brand Classic, NBA Basketball Without Borders, adidas Eurocamp, and NBAPA Top 100 Camp.

Adding to his prep experience, Kancleris was a key member of the U16 and U18 Lithuanian National Teams. At the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, he fought through a sprained ankle to average 4.8 points and 4.5 boards a game including a pair of double-digit scoring efforts against Russia and Serbia. In 2017, Kancleris helped his native country to a sixth-place finish at the U16 European Championship with nine points and seven rebounds a contest.

Barnes, Kancleris, and the `Runners will continue to build toward their goal of winning a Big West Conference Championship. The 2022-23 season is just a few months away and Bakersfield will be grinding to be prepared for Opening Tipoff.

~GoRunners.com~

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