It's not only the NBA that's heading towards the end of its playoffs. Euroleague, the second biggest basketball league in the world, is holding its Final Four this weekend. Fenerbahce Beko and AS Monaco will face off on Sunday to be crowned the champions of Europe. On the roster for the French side is a very familiar name for Rockets fans: Donatas Motiejūnas.

Motiejūnas is on the verge of winning his first Euroleague title at the age of 34. The Lithuanian big man has been with AS Monaco since 2021 after spending time in the Chinese Basketball Association after his stint in the NBA.

When he first arrived in the NBA, Motiejūnas was a fascinating prospect. He had intriguing ball skills, including passing and shooting, despite his seven-foot frame. His modern play style unsurprisingly caught the eye of GM Daryl Morey, who ended up trading for him a day after Motiejūnas was the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

After spending the lockout season in Europe, Motiejūnas came to Houston and played a role immediately, starting in 14 games as a rookie. His role gradually expanded as he became a part-time starter in his final two seasons in Houston. He established himself as a solid offensive player who can score in a variety of ways, but his defensive struggles proved to be too much, resulting in his getting traded at the 2016 trade deadline. In a surprise twist, Motiejūnas failed his physical and returned to the Rockets, finishing the season there as the Rockets lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.

He then had a prolonged and messy contract dispute with the Rockets following his restricted free agency. This was eventually resolved during the 2016-17 season when Motiejūnas eventually signed with the Pelicans as an unrestricted free agent.

Due to the failed physical and the contract dispute, Motiejūnas is remembered more for off-court stuff than his performance on the hardwood. Rockets fans may have complicated feelings towards their former bust, but Motiejūnas may have finally found some major success in his professional career.