Basketball in Lithuania

File:First LFLS team (1923).JPG

Basketball was introduced in Lithuania indirectly through the European variety of Netball, featuring a smaller ball and no boards, brought by the Germans. In 1919 Lithuanian women athletes started organizing, and in 1920-1921 they started playing the game in public.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=1}} The female pioneerism delayed basketball's widespread popularity until the 1930s as it kept being considered a woman's sport.{{cite web|last1=Genevičius|first1=Dominykas|title=1937-ieji ir 1939-ieji – pirmieji Lietuvos krepšinio šlovės metai|url=http://www.sportas.lt/straipsnis/1937-ieji-ir-1939-ieji-pirmieji-lietuvos-krepsinio-sloves-metai-26077|website=Sportas.lt|access-date=9 May 2013}}{{cite web|last1=Šakienė|first1=Jurgita|title=Lietuvos krepšinis Kaune gimė kaip "bobų zabava"|url=http://klaipeda.diena.lt/naujienos/kaunas/miesto-pulsas/lietuvos-krepsinis-kaune-gime-kaip-bobu-zabava-651481|website=Klaipeda.Diena.lt|date=29 September 2014 |access-date=29 September 2014}} In the meantime, in 1922 Karolis Dineika released the book Krepšiasvydis vyrams (English: Basketball for men), and in 1926 pilot Steponas Darius, who would later be known for his transatlantic flight, published the first basketball rules in Lithuania.{{cite web|last1=Markuckytė|first1=Elena|last2=Pilkauskas|first2=Donatas|title=Rinktinės treniruotės buvo slaptos|url=http://www.sportas.info/naujienos/5783-rinktines_treniruotes_buvo_slaptos.html|website=Sportas.info|access-date=12 March 2011}}{{cite web|last1=Markuckytė|first1=Elena|last2=Pilkauskas|first2=Donatas|title=Krepšinio pradininkas Lietuvoje Steponas Darius|url=http://www.plienosparnai.lt/page.php?1263|website=PlienoSparnai.lt|access-date=4 June 2011}}

Despite the fact that women were the first basketball players in Lithuania, the first official game was played by men. It took place on 23 April 1922 when Lietuvos Fizinio Lavinimo Sąjunga (English: Lithuanian Physical Education Union) played a game against Kaunas team, winning 8–6. That day is regarded as the beginning of basketball in Lithuania. The press at the time described the match by writing: "The game was very interesting and left positive impression on the spectators. The observers were fascinated by the game so much that they felt living in a quite cultured country by watching our quick, joyful players. ... The audience heartily rejoiced at the gameplay of the excellent basketball players and applauded after shots and passes by Steponas Darius and Viktoras Dineika. ... Krepšiasvydis game, organized for the first time in Lithuania, gave beautiful hopes that in the future this game could lead our sportsmen to greater achievements".{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|pp=14–15}} Two years later, the first Lithuanian men's basketball tournament in Lithuania was organized, featuring two teams from LFLS and one from Lietuvos Dviračių Sąjunga (English: Lithuanian Cycles Union), and a course for basketball referees was held. The first class included Elena Garbačiauskienė and Steponas Darius.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=16}}

File:Lithuanian academy of sports.jpg]]

From 1926 to 1933, basketball saw its popularity decrease and get overshadowed by football. Basketball was played only during the summer period because there was no suitable indoor arena, and the game was mostly played by representatives of other sports, who allocated little time to it. The number of games played decreased, and the national championship was not even contested between 1929 and 1932.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=17}} It started to change on 10 October 1934, the day where the Physical Culture Palace was opened in Kaunas. The building had a spacious hall with 200 seats, designed and built for tennis. To increase grip for tennis players, the hall had expensive cork floor installed, which cost over 30,000 LTL (over $5,000) when average teacher salary at the time was around 350–500 LTL and 150–180 LTL for an ordinary worker.{{cite web|last1=Cubera|first1=Dainius|title=Nuo "Fiat" iki "Lincoln": pirmieji vardiniai automobilio numeriai K-1 žymėdavo Lietuvos prezidento limuziną|url=http://www.15min.lt/gazas/naujiena/gatve/nuo-fiat-iki-lincoln-pirmieji-vardiniai-automobilio-numeriai-k-1-zymedavo-lietuvos-prezidento-limuzina-221-755284|website=Gazas.lt|access-date=18 February 2017}} Being suitable for indoor basketball, the Hall hosted its first game on 16 November 1934, and soon became the main center for basketball events.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=18}}

File:Lithuania national basketball team in 1937.jpg

In 1935, Lithuania decided to promote a World Lithuanian Congress in temporary capital Kaunas, inviting ethnic Lithuanians from many countries to unite the Lithuanian culture. The Lithuanian American community of Chicago decided to sponsor a team of athletes to participate in this Congress. The delegation included a full basketball team, which included University of Notre Dame star Moose Krause (Edward Kriaučiūnas) and his brother Phil (Feliksas Kriaučiūnas); basketballers Benedict Budrikas, Anthony Lauraitis, Victor Yanzanaitis and Julius Petrulaitis; and multi-sport athletes Konstantinas "Konnie" Savickus, Juozas "Joseph" Zukas, Peter Barskis, Michael A. Lukas, and Kazys "Charles" Sedvilas.{{Cite web|url=http://draugas.org/key_dnlh/lh/issues/2012-09-15-LHERITAGE.pdf|title=The Trip that Changed the World of Lithuanian Basketball|url-access=subscription}} After the three-week congress, Zukas and Savickus stayed to teach basketball secrets to Lithuanians.{{Cite web|url=http://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=kss_fac|title=The Motherland, the Godfather, and the Birth of a Basketball Dynasty: American Efforts to Promote Basketball in Lithuania}} Savickus in particular became a player-coach to the national team, which had just been trounced by inaugural European champions Latvia, 123–10. One year later, with Savickus leading the team and exploiting stalling techniques, Lithuania trailed only 14–7 at halftime before losing, 31–10. The Lithuanian press declared it a moral victory.

Also in 1936, Lithuania applied to become a member of FIBA and take part in international basketball competitions, the first being EuroBasket 1937, the second European basketball tournament that the Latvia Basketball Association would organize in Riga as reigning champions.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22}} Thus while basketball would become an Olympic sport at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Lithuania decided not to take part in the tournament, instead preparing for the following year. During the Olympics, one of the gold medalists, Frank Lubin, was of Lithuanian heritage, and was invited to visit the Baltic nation by a Lithuanian official in attendance. Going by the Lithuanian name Pranas Lubinas, he spent five months there and served as the country's first knowledgeable coach, helping spread various basketball techniques.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Chris |date=1990-07-02 |title=Frank Lubin, a Big Man in Two Countries : Basketball: He helped U.S. win Olympic gold medal in 1936, and later introduced the sport to Lithuania, where his parents were born. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-02-sp-473-story.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Winn |first=Luke |title=LITHUANIA CALLING |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2011/08/15/lithuania-calling |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}} Filling in for Savickus, who had returned to Chicago, Lubinas led Lithuania to its first victory over Latvia, 36-25.

{{quote box|width=23em|align=left|quote="Physical Culture Palace director Mr. Augustauskas asked me: Could you win the European championship? I replied: Why not? Lithuanians already made significant progress and with one or two athletes from Chicago we could easily win that championship." |source=— Konstantinas Savickas, describing his first efforts to improve basketball in Lithuania.{{cite web |url=http://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/1004718609/ryto_garsai_2012-08-08_06_30 |title=Ryto garsai 2012-08-08 06:30 |access-date=2015-02-17 |date=1968 |author=Unknown |work=Amerikos balsas |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043536/http://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/1004718609/ryto_garsai_2012-08-08_06_30 |url-status=dead}}

}}

File:Lithuania national basketball team - EuroBasket 1937 champions.jpg

The preparations for the EuroBasket 1937 started slowly, with players training only 4 hours a week.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}} At first, it was decided that the national team at the tournament would not include any Lithuanian Americans; however the decision was reversed with only one month remaining, once a Latvian newspaper Sporto pasaule had printed an extensive article about the second European championship considering Lithuania the weakest of all contestants.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}}{{cite web |last1=Grikštaitė |first1=Gintarė |title=Neskelbti krepšinio čempiono atsiminimai: Lubino reikšmė, valstybinis sutikimas ir į diplomatinį skandalą peraugęs latvių pyktis |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/sportas/10/1314035/neskelbti-krepsinio-cempiono-atsiminimai-lubino-reiksme-valstybinis-sutikimas-ir-i-diplomatini-skandala-perauges-latviu-pyktis |website=Lithuanian National Radio and Television |access-date=8 July 2024 |language=lt |date=23 January 2021}} Lithuanian player Leonas Baltrūnas was shocked at the article and along with journalist Jonas Narbutas used a translated version of it to request the inclusion of Lithuanian Americans to Vytautas Augustauskas, director of the Physical Culture Palace.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}} After a telegram was sent to the USA, two players arrived one month prior to the tournament, Pranas Talzūnas and Feliksas Kriaučiūnas, the latter of whom was designated as player-coach.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}} To keep secrecy on how Lithuanian Americans were strengthening the team, all preparation games were cancelled and instead prolonged training sessions before the trip to Riga were held behind closed doors.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}} The national team was being prepared not only technically, but also physically.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}}

File:Feliksas Kriauciunas with Lithuania national team jersey.jpg, one of the most notable basketball personalities in interwar Lithuania]]

Even once the reinforcements were made public, opponents were skeptic, with Talzūnas later remembering other teams felt he and Kriaučiūnas were not quality players as "everyone thought that a good player must be tall, raising his hand and dunking into the basket."{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=22–23}} Furthermore, another member of the Lithuanian team, Baltrūnas, claimed that the Lithuanians were accommodated not in hotel Roma where the chosen teams and more distant countries teams were accommodated, but instead in a more remote hotel (from the venue stadium) near the station and flea market. Also, Baltrūnas pointed out that unlike other foreign basketball teams the Lithuanians when their train arrived in Riga were not greet with an orchestra and by none of the representatives of EuroBasket 1937.

File:Greeting of the Lithuania men's national basketball team in Kaunas after they had won EuroBasket 1937.jpg

The efforts were successful—the Lithuanians in 1937 became the champions of Europe for the first time, defeating all their opponents and with Talzūnas being picked as the tournament's most valuable player, also it is believed that Talzūnas was the first-ever basketball player to use a hook shot in an official game during EuroBasket 1937.{{cite web |title=Pranas Konstantinas Talzūnas |url=https://www.lse.lt/biografija/pranas-talzunas/ |website=Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija |access-date=7 July 2024 |language=lt}} Following the final victory over Italy, the famous Lithuanian tenor Kipras Petrauskas even interrupted his performance at the State Theatre to joyfully announce the triumph of the national basketball team. The crowd then rose to their feet and together sang the Lithuanian anthem.{{cite web|last1=Senn|first1=Alfred Erich|title=Sugrįžimas į Rygą: kaip latviai ir estai bandė uždrausti žaisti "per aukštam" Pranui Lubinui|url=http://www.15min.lt/24sek/naujiena/lietuva/sugrizimas-i-ryga-kaip-latviai-ir-estai-bande-uzdrausti-zaisti-per-aukstam-pranui-lubinui-875-524844?psl=2|website=24sek.lt |access-date=6 September 2015}} The team returned to a warm reception, with thousands gathering at a train station in a way Kriaučiūnas compared to "like we, here in America, greet the president."{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/tavo-lrt/15/25069/is-amerikos-balso-archyvu-apie-krepsinio-pradzia-lietuvoje|title=Iš "Amerikos balso" archyvų: apie krepšinio pradžią Lietuvoje|date=16 September 2013|website=lrt.lt}} According to Eugenijus Nikolskis, the Lithuanian national team's train was greet by Lithuanians with Lithuanian tricolor flags and banners just after crossing the Latvia–Lithuania border and were met with stops ceremonially in Joniškis, Šiauliai before arriving in Kaunas where tens of thousands of people gathered to welcome the champions in the Kaunas railway station and Vytauto Avenue through which the team was transported in convertibles to the Physical Culture Palace where they were congratulated by the Government of Lithuania and Prime Minister Juozas Tūbelis and subsequently by Lithuanian President Antanas Smetona.

As a result of the success in EuroBasket 1937, basketball regained its ground in Lithuania immediately, and had its popularity rise abruptly, especially among students. Gymnasium teams from almost all counties competed in student games, teams were assembled in firms and basketball courts appeared all around the country. According to future player Stepas Butautas, "In every yard hoops are being made from barrels. Children, teenagers are throwing balls into them, others—even a sock crammed with clouts. Our Veršvai Primary School teacher K. Požemecka built two poles, made hoops from a willow and said: 'We will play basketball'."{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|p=26-7}} Future team coach Vladas Garastas added that "as kids we started using a barrel to make a hoop. We didn't have a ball, we stuffed in grass or whatever we could find".The Other Dream Team movie (quotation begins at 11:02)

File:Lithuanian basketball squad in EuroBasket 1939.jpg. Pranas Lubinas is holding the Lithuanian tricolor]]

Kriaučiūnas also coached the women's national team that did well at the first European women's basketball championship, organized in 1938 in Rome. With three victories in four games, the Lithuanian women finished second behind hosts Italy.{{sfn|Stonkus|2007|pp=29–31}}

Lithuania was granted the right to organize the EuroBasket 1939. In addition, the Kaunas Sports Hall, Europe's first dedicated basketball arena, was built. In the competition, the team roster mostly consisted of Lithuanian Americans, with five American-born players: the returning Feliksas Kriaučiūnas (Chicago), Juozas Jurgėla (Chicago), Vytautas Budriūnas (Waukegan), Mykolas Ruzgys and Pranas Lubinas (Glendale). As a result, there were several protests from other nations.{{cite web|last1=Drochneris|first1=Nerijus|title=Tarpukario sportas: už idealus, už tautą, už universalumą (V dalis)|url=http://laikas.tv3.lt/lt/info/6188/tarpukario-sportas-uz-idealus-uz-tauta-uz-universaluma-v-dalis|website=Laikas.lt|date=6 September 2011 |access-date=30 April 2015}} Lubinas, who was the designated player-coach, lead Lithuania to a second continental title, even scoring the buzzer-beater in the decisive game against Latvia, which warranted a 37–36 victory.{{cite web|last1=Skučaitė|first1=Virginija|title=Pranas Lubinas - taurusis tarpukario krepšinio milžinas|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/dienrastis/miestas/pranas-lubinas-taurusis-tarpukario-krepsinio-milzinas-367319|website=KaunoDiena.lt|access-date=4 August 2011}}{{cite web |title=Lietuvos krepšinio krikštatėviai: kaip užgimė lietuvių meilė oranžiniam kamuoliui? |url=https://www.15min.lt/24sek/naujiena/lietuva/lietuvos-krepsinio-krikstateviai-kaip-uzgime-lietuviu-meile-oranziniam-kamuoliui-875-1320356 |website=15min.lt |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=lt}} After the Lithuania's victory versus Latvia 10,000 people sang the Lithuanian anthem. Immediately after the final game versus Italy the closing ceremony was held and Lithuanians were awarded with Smetona's gift – a dowry chest made from silver and decorated with ambers.{{cite web |last1=Eidvilas |first1=Rolandas V. |title=EČ istorija. Antrojo Lietuvos triumfo savaitė (1939 m.) |url=https://www.lrytas.lt/sportas/krepsinis/2011/06/25/news/ec-istorija-antrojo-lietuvos-triumfo-savaite-1939-m--5529766 |website=lrytas.lt |date=25 June 2011 |access-date=11 July 2024 |language=lt}} Moreover, on 8 June 1939 yet another event with 4,000 spectators was held in the Kaunas Sports Hall to pay homage to the 1939 European champions during which they were awarded with Smetona's personal gifts (nominal watches) and other institutions gifts.

File:Basketball team of Lithuanian political prisoners in Vorkuta (1954).jpg in Vorkutlag, 1954]]

After two consecutive EuroBasket titles, Pranas Lubinas dreamed of leading Lithuania at the 1940 Summer Olympics. Sadly, it remained only a dream as the World War II broke out one year before and the Olympics were cancelled. With Nazi Germany invading Europe and the Soviet Union occupying the Baltic states in 1940, the Lithuanian basketball players and basketball-supporting president Antanas Smetona left for safer countries such as the United States and Australia. Only a few of them had a chance to return to Lithuania in 1989-1990.{{sfn|Bertašius|Stonkus|2009|p=67-8}} As a consequence, none of the European champions played for the Soviet Union after the war ended. The EuroBasket 1941 was due to take place in Lithuania as well, but was cancelled due to the war.{{cite web|last1=Žemaitis|first1=Augustinas|title=Basketball in Lithuania|url=http://www.truelithuania.com/basketball-in-lithuania-33|website=TrueLithuania.com|access-date=30 April 2015}} Instead, Lithuania only hosted a Baltic states tournament organized at Kaunas Sports Hall in April 1941, beating Latvia 38–33 in front of 6000 spectators.{{cite web|title=Krepšinis|url=http://www.lse.lt/index.php?3658787114|website=Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija|access-date=1 May 2015}} Two months later, mass Soviet deportations from Lithuania began. Juozas Butrimas, Siberia deportations survivor, once said: "Our whole sports club was falsely accused of participating in an anti-Soviet Lithuanian resistance organization. In Siberia, we built a regulation basketball court. Basketball allowed us to have dignity, to retain our sense of humanity. How did I survived? Basketball gave a lot. They didn't bury me there".The Other Dream Team movie (quotation begins at 14:30)

File:Lithuanian deportees basketball players with Žalgiris uniforms and referee in the Omsk Gulag in 1954.jpg

During the rest of the war, with the Germans occupying Lithuania in November 1941 and the Soviets taking it back three years later, all the basketballers who did not escape the country went through difficult times. Vincas Sercevičius, often nicknamed as the second Lubinas, had to run away from German raids in 1943. Two years later, Sercevičius was a member of the Žalgiris Kaunas who refused to purposefully lose to CSKA Moscow, leading him and other teammates (e.g. 1939 European champion Mindaugas Šliūpas), along with coach Stasys Šačkus (1937 European champion), to end up shipped to the Vorkuta Gulag by the Soviets.{{cite web|last1=Skučaitė|first1=Virginija|title=Auksinis pokario penketukas|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/dienrastis/miestas/auksinis-pokario-penketukas-370348|website=KaunoDiena.lt|access-date=11 August 2011}}Telecast "Mūsų krepšinis" (Season: 1, Episode: 1; Quotation begins at 47:00){{cite web|title=Kūno kultūros ir sporto departamentas prie Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės - Apie mus|url=http://www.kksd.lt/index.php?4276206154|website=Kksd.lt|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810044711/http://www.kksd.lt/index.php?4276206154|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.sportas.info/naujienos/25665-sekmingas_zaidimas_baigesi_tremtimis.html |title=Sėkmingas žaidimas baigėsi tremtimis |date=18 March 2015 |newspaper=Sportas |language=lt |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215155859/http://www.sportas.info/naujienos/25665-sekmingas_zaidimas_baigesi_tremtimis.html|archive-date=February 15, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Stonkus |first1=Stanislovas |title=Mindaugas Šliūpas |url=https://www.lse.lt/biografija/mindaugas-sliupas/ |website=Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija |access-date=4 July 2024 |language=lt}} Basketball was a popular sport in Soviet gulags among the Lithuanians and basketball clubs in Soviet gulags were especially actively established after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953.{{cite web |title=Krepšinis vienijo tremtyje ir lageriuose |url=https://sekunde.lt/leidinys/paneveziobalsas/krepsinis-vienijo-tremtyje-ir-lageriuose/ |website=Sekunde.lt |access-date=4 July 2024 |language=lt |date=5 September 2022}} The Lithuanian basketball clubs were established in Soviet gulags which were located in Komi, Mordovia, Kazakh SSR, Omsk Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast and were named with patriotic names such as Geležinis vilkas, Tauras (depicted in the coat of arms of Kaunas), Pilėnai, Žalgiris, etc.{{cite web |last1=Kavaliauskas |first1=Vilius |title=Lietuviai krepšinį žaidė ir sovietų lageriuose |url=https://www.lrytas.lt/kultura/istorija/2014/02/15/news/lietuviai-krepsini-zaide-ir-sovietu-lageriuose-4718641 |website=lrytas.lt |access-date=4 July 2024 |language=lt}} The exact number of Lithuanian basketball clubs which were established in Soviet gulags is unknown, however there were certainly tens of them and when such clubs lacked enough Lithuanians then their teams were assembled by including Latvians and Estonians.{{cite web |title=Lietuviškas krepšinis atgimė net lageriuose ir tremtyje |url=https://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/12240155/lietuviskas-krepsinis-atgime-net-lageriuose-ir-tremtyje/ |website=Alfa.lt |access-date=4 July 2024 |language=lt}} Moreover, it is known that frequently Lithuanian basketball players in Soviet gulags played by being exhausted from hunger and that they used to save their food rations which they subsequently shared after tournaments with others more exhausted basketball players.

{{quote box|width=24em|align=right|quote="Actually, Russia took over the Lithuanians technique and tactics. The last time I saw them was when I was in Prague with the French team. I wished to cry due to joy because the squad had four Lithuanians, one of them was team's captain. I spoke with Lithuanians several times, but I couldn't more." |source=— Mykolas Ruzgys, describing the Soviet squad in a 1968 interview.{{cite web|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kalba_vilnius/32/25069/is_amerikos_balso_archyvu_apie_krepsinio_pradzia_lietuvoje|title=Iš "Amerikos balso" archyvų: apie krepšinio pradžią Lietuvoje|access-date=2015-02-16|date=2013-09-11|author=Unknown|work=Amerikos balsas}}

}}

File:Sporto halė Kaune.JPG, the place where the Lithuanian basketball flourished under Soviet rule]]

The first Soviet Union national basketball team was formed in 1947 to participate in EuroBasket 1947, immediately winning gold medals. The team had four Lithuanians: Stepas Butautas, Justinas Lagunavičius, Kazimieras Petkevičius and Vytautas Kulakauskas.{{cite web|title=Soviet Union – 1947 European Championship for Men|url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/team/p/sid/2241/tid/2792/_/1947_European_Championship_for_Men/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231073353/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/team/p/sid/2241/tid/2792/_/1947_European_Championship_for_Men/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2009|website=archive.FIBA.com|access-date=30 April 2015}} According to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, who being as a kid spectated live EuroBasket 1939, basketball for the Lithuanian youth was a symbol of Lithuania's independence, no matter what color shirts the Lithuanian basketball players sometimes had to wear.{{cite web |title=Prezidentas V. Adamkus apie aistrą krepšiniui: nesigailiu, kad tada rizikavau |url=https://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/laisvalaikis-ir-kultura/zvaigzdes-ir-pramogos/prezidentas-v-adamkus-apie-aistra-krepsiniui-nesigailiu-kad-tada-rizikavau-807296 |website=Kauno.diena.lt |access-date=5 July 2024 |language=lt |date=14 April 2017}}

File:Modestas Paulauskas 1970.jpg was one of the all-time biggest basketball stars of the Soviet Union]]

Given the Soviet Union was absent from the 1948 Summer Olympics, Lithuanian basketballers could only fulfill their dreams of playing on the Olympic stage at the 1952 Olympic Games, where they qualified by winning EuroBasket 1951. The Soviets got a silver medal, losing only two games against the United States, who had a height advantage—the shortest of their players was still taller than the highest Soviet—and would soon become the USSR's biggest rival.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-18-sp-3572-story.html|title=Untarnished Gold : Controversy? What Controversy? Soviets Still Feel They Deserved Basketball Victory in 1972|work=Los Angeles Times|date=18 July 1992 |access-date=5 November 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1952/OR1952part2.pdf |title=1952 Helsinki Olympic Games Official Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113221704/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1952/OR1952part2.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2017 |pages=672–688}} The team was led by Georgian player Otar Korkia (17.3 points per game), along with Lithuanians Stepas Butautas (10.6 points) and Kazimieras Petkevičius (8.1 points). Two other Lithuanians, Justinas Lagunavičius and Stanislovas Stonkus, were also in the team.{{cite web|title=1952 Soviet Union Men's Olympic Basketball|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/olympics/teams/URS/1952|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=30 April 2015}} The four are regarded as the first Lithuania-born Olympic basketball players.Telecast "Mūsų krepšinis" (Season: 1; Episode: 1; Quotation begins at 13:30) Years later, Modestas Paulauskas served as the Soviet Union captain starting in 1969, and would lead the USSR to an historic upset of the United States at the 1972 Olympic Games, making them the first Olympic champions other than the Americans.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/06/21/lithuania-stands-tall-in-basketball/|title=Lithuania Stands Tall in Basketball|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=5 November 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Andzelis|first1=Paulius|title=M.Paulauskas: "Marškinėlių pakėlimas – didžiausias įvertinimas žaidėjui"|url=https://zalgirioarena.lt/lt/naujienos/2015/03/25/m-paulauskas/|website=Žalgiris.lt|date=25 March 2015}}

File:Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics - URS vs. USA.JPEG (#11) playing the 1988 Olympic semifinal against the United States]]

According to journalist and future LKL employee Arūnas Pakula, "We felt like an occupied nation. We had no weapons to use. The only opportunity to prove ourselves against the Soviets was in basketball."{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/1971480ed1957768e4009cfcd416251e|title=Basketball is More Than a Game in Independent Lithuania|publisher=Associated Press|author=Press, Stephen|date=11 April 1992|access-date=5 November 2015}} Despite not being able to challenge the Soviet Union on basketball court, Lithuanians still did that in another way. Basketball club Žalgiris Kaunas, established in 1944 (just a few years after the country's occupation) with a name commemorating the Battle of Grunwald, became one of the main non-violent resistance ways. Games between Žalgiris and CSKA Moscow, a military basketball team mostly formed from best Soviet Union basketball players, were de facto games between Lithuania and the Soviet Union, and led to mass rallies of sorts once Lithuanians went to receive Žalgiris' players at airports after victories. The teams from Baltic states even tried to help each other during the Soviet tournaments, most notably in 1973. During the last round, the already qualified Žalgiris Kaunas deliberately lost to Kalev Tallinn, as admitted by Paulauskas: "We gave victory to Tallinn Kalev. That game meant nothing for us, while for Estonians it was crucial in order to avoid the fight for the survival in the highest league".{{cite web|last1=Čekutis|first1=Ričardas|last2=Žygelis |first2=Dalius|title=Laisvės kryžkelės (XXV). Sporto pergalės sovietmečiu – visuomenės nuotaikų veidrodis|url=http://www.bernardinai.lt/straipsnis/2006-07-17-laisves-kryzkeles-xxv-sporto-pergales-sovietmeciu-visuomenes-nuotaiku-veidrodis/5184|website=Bernardinai.lt|date=17 July 2006 |access-date=17 July 2006 |language=lt}}

During the Soviet Era of Stagnation and subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union, the success of Lithuanian basketball provided many moments to showcase their nationalism against the Soviet dominance. The 1981 students sport games in Vilnius had the locals attending in the Lithuanian green and yellow colors to see the national youth team led by Arvydas Sabonis and Šarūnas Marčiulionis defeat the Moscow squad. In the 1980s, Žalgiris defeated CSKA three times in a row for the USSR Premier Basketball League finals (1985–1987). One of their players, Sergejus Jovaiša, stated that in 1987 CSKA was even preparing a huge celebration with orchestra and flowers before the defeat. Žalgiris also won the 1986 Intercontinental Cup in Argentina, receiving much support from the home crowd against the Yugoslavs of Zagreb Cibona. Their return to Europe attracted a huge crowd, with Žalgiris captain Valdemaras Chomičius stating that in Aleksotas Airport "it seemed that the whole Kaunas gathered that early morning."

{{quote box|width=24em|align=right|quote="When after the war the Russian squad almost defeated USA, some were congratulating me, others were reproachful as they never heard that the Russians were playing basketball. After the war they were using these Lithuanians who I once trained. They took over many techniques and tactics knowledges. I was always observing from far when basketball traditions blossomed in Lithuania and gave such international stars like Arvydas Sabonis. I was proud that the Lithuanians shined more than the others in Seoul. It was mine team. Lithuanian team defeated the Americans, I was telling to the media..." |source=— Pranas Lubinas, sharing his memories related to basketball in Lithuania, in a 1989 interview.{{cite journal|language=Lithuanian|url=http://www.eurobasket.lt/old/lt/interviu/2847/?all=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102816/http://www.eurobasket.lt/old/lt/interviu/2847/?all=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-04-02|title=Iš "Amerikos balso" archyvų: apie krepšinio pradžią Lietuvoje|access-date=2015-02-16|date=1989|journal=Krepšinio pasaulis|issue=1}}

}}

In 1988, Atlanta Hawks which included its major star Dominique Wilkins became the first NBA club to visit Lithuania and played friendly game with the Soviet Union national team in the Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports.{{cite web|title=Iš archyvų: NBA žvaigždžių kančios sovietiniame Vilniuje|url=http://www.delfi.lt/krepsinis/herojai/is-archyvu-nba-zvaigzdziu-kancios-sovietiniame-vilniuje.d?id=69402632|website=Krepsinis.lt|access-date=27 October 2015}}{{cite web|title=Kelionė, visiems laikams pakeitusi NBA: legendos apie "Hawks" viešnagę SSRS sklando iki šiol|url=http://www.delfi.lt/nba/naujienos/kelione-visiems-laikams-pakeitusi-nba-legendos-apie-hawks-viesnage-ssrs-sklando-iki-siol.d?id=75338921|website=DELFI.lt|access-date=30 July 2017}} Later, the Soviet Union squad became Olympic champions in the 1988 Summer Olympics for the second and the last time, defeating the United States, 82–76, in the semi-finals and Yugoslavia 76–63 in the finals. The team mostly was led by four Lithuanians: Šarūnas Marčiulionis (18.1 points, 2.3 assists per game), Rimas Kurtinaitis (13.4 points, 3 rebounds), Arvydas Sabonis (13.3 points, 11.1 rebounds) and team captain Valdemaras Chomičius (7.4 points, 1.5 rebounds).{{cite web|title=1988 Soviet Union Men's Olympic Basketball|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/olympics/teams/URS/1988|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=30 April 2015}} Vytautas Landsbergis, the first head of state of Lithuania after its independence declaration from the Soviet Union, once said: "The majority of the team was made up of Lithuanians. So really Lithuania won that gold medal for the Soviet Union. But its name wasn't there. And that was another injustice that we had to correct".The Other Dream Team movie (quotation begins at 45:15)

The Soviet national team failed to qualify for EuroBasket 1991 following Lithuania's declaration of independence on 11 March 1990.{{cite web|title=EČ istorija. SSRS krepšinio istorijos pabaiga (1989 m.)|url=http://www.lrytas.lt/-13122704721311540199-e%C4%8D-istorija-ssrs-krep%C5%A1inio-istorijos-pabaiga-1989-m.htm|website=lrytas.lt|access-date=3 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101917/http://www.lrytas.lt/-13122704721311540199-e%C4%8D-istorija-ssrs-krep%C5%A1inio-istorijos-pabaiga-1989-m.htm|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}} During the 43 years where the Soviets had Lithuanian players, they managed to get with both male and female squads 17 Olympic medals (8 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze), 17 World championship medals (11 gold, 5 silver and one bronze), and 51 EuroBasket medals (36 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze).{{cite web|title=Krepšinis |url=http://www.lse.lt/index.php?3658787114|website=Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija|access-date=29 April 2015}} The occupation left many painful marks in Lithuania and Lithuanians' memory. Games between Žalgiris and CSKA, as well as games between Lithuania and Russian national teams, still have extra spice in them nowadays.{{cite web |title=Istorinė "Žalgirio" ir CSKA kova rusų akimis: ištuštėjęs Kaunas, Sabo gudrybės ir ašaros |url=https://www.15min.lt/24sek/naujiena/eurolyga/istorine-zalgirio-ir-cska-kova-rusu-akimis-istustejes-kaunas-sabo-gudrybes-ir-asaros-1362-949170 |website=15min.lt |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=lt}} Singing of the Lithuanian anthem before the professional club's games in Lithuania is still a rare tradition, rarely found outside the National Basketball Association in Europe.{{cite web |title=Prieš "Žalgirio" rungtynes Eurolygoje sirgalių inicijuojamas himnas tampa tradicija |url=https://www.krepsinis.net/naujiena/pries-zalgirio-rungtynes-eurolygoje-sirgaliu-inicijuojamas-himnas-tampa-tradicija/625 |website=Krepsinis.net |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=lt}}{{cite web |last1=Bagdonas |first1=Marius |title=Eurolyga uždraudė prieš rungtynes groti himną |url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-41114-eurolyga-uzdraude-pries-rungtynes-groti-himna.html |website=BasketNews.lt |access-date=8 September 2023 |language=lt}}

{{quote box|width=24em|align=right|quote="I believe that new Sabonis and Marčiulions will grow up and will create a new superb team again." |source=— Konstantinas Savickas, first Lithuania national team coach, sharing his thoughts in 1991.{{cite web|url=http://www.punskas.pl/AKTUALIJOS/2010/08/04/savickas.htm |title=Lietuvos krepšinio pradininkas |access-date=2015-02-17 |year=1991 |author=Unknown |work=Lietuvos rytas |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818075836/http://www.punskas.pl/AKTUALIJOS/2010/08/04/savickas.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2011}}

}}

File:Sarunas Marciulionis in Armenia 2.jpg, the first Lithuanian to play in the United States, was instrumental in getting funds for the Lithuania national team's restoration]]

After Lithuania's independence was restored on 11 March 1990, the country wanted to stand on its own in the basketball community again, complete with the standout players from the 1988 Soviet squad – Sabonis, Marčiulions, Chomičius and Kurtinaitis – expressing a desire to represent Lithuania. The National Olympic Committee of Lithuania (LTOK) and Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) were restored, Lithuania withdrew its athletes from all Soviet national competitions, and both Sabonis and Marčiulions refused a request to play for the Soviet Union during the 1990 Goodwill Games.[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/08/sports/olympics-lithuanians-want-sports-independence.html OLYMPICS; Lithuanians Want Sports Independence][https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19900622/1078376/lithuanians-wont-play-with-soviets Lithuanians Won't Play With Soviets – Marciulionis, Sabonis Just Say No] In 1991, the International Olympic Committee welcomed Lithuania back to its ranks in September, and in December, LKF president Stanislovas Stonkus attended the FIBA congress in Springfield, Massachusetts, and requested the right to be a full member of FIBA once again. FIBA president George E. Killian granted Stonkus' request and invited Lithuania to participate in all of the FIBA organized events.{{sfn|Bertašius|Stonkus|2009|p=69}}{{cite web |last1=Stonkus |first1=Stanislovas |title=Krepšinis |url=https://www.lse.lt/krepsinis-2/ |website=Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija |access-date=29 June 2025 |language=lt-LT |date=21 June 2022}} Sabonis and his agent started looking for Lithuanian-born or descended players, sending phone calls and faxes over Europe and North America.{{cite news |title=In Spain, a Lithuanian Giant Awakens for the Olympics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/31/business/worldbusiness/IHT-in-spain-a-lithuanian-giant-awakens-for-the.html |website=The New York Times |date=31 October 1991}}{{cite news|last1=Cress|first1=Doug|title=Lithuania Expected To Bounce Back Into Basketball Limelight|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19911110/1316460/lithuania-expected-to-bounce-back-into-basketball-limelight|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=10 November 1991}}

File:Greg Speirs (image).jpg

However, Lithuania's economic transition left the country in a difficult financial situation, and LKF could hardly count on state funding. As a result, the team had to search for the financial supporters by themselves in order to play internationally. Šarūnas Marčiulionis had experience and contacts in the United States from being the first USSR player in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web|title=The Founder of the Academy|url=http://www.krepsinioakademija.lt/en/about-us/the-founder-of-the-academy/|website=KrepsinioAkademija.lt|access-date=21 January 2016}} Consequently, he, along with Donnie Nelson (son of Marčiulionis' then-coach Don Nelson), searched for financial supporters that could finance Lithuania's participation in the international games and the 1992 Summer Olympics. George Shirk wrote a story about this on the San Francisco Chronicle, and once American rock band Grateful Dead read the newspaper, they decided to help the team. Drummer Mickey Hart added that the story resonated with the bandmembers for being "a struggle for life, liberty and freedom." The bandmembers donated $5,000 to Marčiulionis, and helped launch a tie-dyed jerseys trade that would feature Lithuania's national colors[http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/jenkins-sarunas-marciulionis Jenkins: Marciulionis’ Impact Goes Beyond Basketball] and the iconic, trademarked 'Slam-Dunking Skeleton' created by N.Y. artist [http://www.gregspeirs.com/ Greg Speirs]. The skeleton dunking a flaming basketball, nicknamed "Skully", was the artist's interpretation of how the Lithuanian team rose from the ashes to victory.[http://mtnweekly.com/reviews/hiking-and-camping/outdoor-clothing-reviews/skullman-lithuania-tie-die-t-shirts Lithuania Tie-Die Basketball Jersey Review] The artist's profits would be passed onto the Lithuania national basketball team and a fund for Lithuanian children. The Lithuanians were favourable to the garish shirts because, according to Nelson, it was a great contrast to "all those years of those Soviet colors, nothing but blues and grays". Arvydas Sabonis even said that "My first impression of [the jerseys] was: Wow, this really is a free Lithuania". The skeleton, nicknamed "Skully", was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, being the only cartoon character to be enshrined in any sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web|last1=Speirs|first1=Greg|title=Skullman Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement|url=http://www.skullman.com/basketball%20hall%20of%20fame.htm|website=Skullman.com|access-date=30 April 2015}} New versions of the Skully jerseys were featured in the following two Olympic Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lithuanian-olympic-tie-dye-jerseys-resurface---sydney-australia-73433877.html|title=Lithuanian Olympic Tie Dye Jerseys Resurface – Sydney, Australia|author=Slammin' Sports|date=27 September 2000|access-date=5 November 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/12/idUS148188+12-Oct-2012+BW20121012 |title=Tie Dyed Lithuanian Slam-dunking Skeleton Back for the Other Dream Team Documentary | Reuters |work=Reuters |access-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605143841/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/12/idUS148188+12-Oct-2012+BW20121012 |archive-date=5 June 2015}}

To assume the head coach position of the restored Lithuania men's national basketball team, American Dan Peterson, then in Italy, was invited but declined. BC Žalgiris manager Raimundas Sargunas became coach, but problems with the players made him demoted to assistant, a job shared with Donnie Nelson and Spanish Javier Imbroda, who was invited following Sabonis' suggestion of a Liga ACB veteran.{{cite web|title=Arvydo Sabonio į Lietuvą atviliotas ispanas pamena, kokią skurdžią šalį rado|url=http://sportas.lrytas.lt/krepsinis/arvydo-sabonio-i-lietuva-atviliotas-ispanas-pamena-kokia-skurdzia-sali-rado.htm|website=lrytas.lt|access-date=19 April 2017|language=lt-LT|archive-date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045949/http://sportas.lrytas.lt/krepsinis/arvydo-sabonio-i-lietuva-atviliotas-ispanas-pamena-kokia-skurdzia-sali-rado.htm|url-status=dead}}[http://elpais.com/diario/1992/07/16/deportes/711237607_850215.html Lituano por contrato] {{in lang|es}} The eventual choice was Vladas Garastas, another Žalgiris veteran who was assistant in the 1988 Soviet squad.[http://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1992/07/05/pagina-10/33524729/pdf.html La república báltica más deportiva], La Vanguardia {{in lang|es}}

File:Rimas Kurtinaitis2.2009-07-31.jpg, one of the Lithuanian team leaders in 1992]]

Preparation for Lithuania men's national basketball team's first major international tournament since regaining independence began in May 1992, as it was the first time a squad of players mostly playing outside the country could get together and train. While missing Sabonis, Marčiulionis and Artūras Karnišovas, Lithuania competed in the eight-teams Nordic Countries Championship. They took the second place there, losing only to the well-known opponents Latvia 80–95 in the final. Standout players included Gintaras Krapikas (22.5 points per game) and Rimas Kurtinaitis (19 points).{{sfn|Bertašius|Stonkus|2009|p=70}}

Afterwards, the country celebrated 70 years of Lithuanian basketball, and among the events was a competition featuring two Lithuanian teams, Latvia, Belarus, Finland, and Illinois State University basketball team. The superiority of the Lithuanians, now counting with Sabonis and Marčiulionis, made them handily beat the opponents. Following it, Lithuania national team was invited to compete in the prestigious annual Acropolis Tournament hosted by Greece, along with Italy and France. Lithuanians began the competition shockingly, immediately crushing the EuroBasket 1991 silver medalists Italians 116–94 (at one point leading by 87–49). Though, then they narrowly lost to the host Greece squad 81–83 and after easily defeating the French squad 109–78, took the second place. Despite not winning the cup, this was a perfect first major international challenge for the Lithuania national team, giving the solid hopes of success for the newly reborn state. Shortly before the opening of the Olympic Games, Lithuanians also overcame the Olympics host Spain 107–97 in Ibiza.{{sfn|Bertašius|Stonkus|2009|p=71-2}}

Lithuania was among the many European independent states that due to the dissolutions of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, would return to the Olympic competition for the 1992 games. For the 1992 Pre-Olympic Basketball Tournament, held in Spain from 22 June to 5 July, Lithuania was joined by the debuting Croatia, Slovenia, Latvia, and Estonia, along with the non-Baltic Soviet republics in a Commonwealth of Independent States.{{sfn|Bertašius|Stonkus|2009|p=73}} The latter was a particularly awaited adversary for the Lithuanians, as according to LTOK president Artūras Poviliūnas, "We have dreamed all of our lives about playing against the Soviet Union. Although it's not called the Soviet Union any more, this game will be very important and very symbolic. It will be as important as the Olympics themselves." With a trip funded by the Spanish city of Melilla, Lithuania managed to get one of the four qualifying spots disputed by 25 participants, winning all their 11 games in the tournament.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120621003707/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/event/p/cid/EOQTM/sid/2731/_/1992_European_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament_for_Men/index.html 1992 European Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men], FIBA The Olympic Qualifying Tournament game of 22 June 1992 versus the Netherlands men's national team was the first official international game for Lithuania men's national team after more than half a century break, which the Lithuanians won 100–75. During the 1992 Summer Olympics Lithuania men's national basketball team lost the semifinal 76–127 to the United States squad nicknamed "Dream Team" but won bronze medals after defeating 82–78 the Unified Team, which was composed from players of the former Soviet Union states, except for Baltic states. Donnie Nelson described the locker room as "like winning the NBA championship times five".The Other Dream Team movie (quotation begins at 1:21:23) After the bronze medal victory, de jure Head of State Vytautas Landsbergis visited the team at the locker room, and they all sung the Lithuanian national anthem.[https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/Lithuania-110916/eurobasket-lithuania-shows-basketball-passion Basketball pulse strong in Lithuania], ESPN

Moreover, in the early 1990s first actions were made to restore Lithuanian clubs leagues. In 1993, the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga (the premier Lithuanian men's basketball league) was established. In 1994, the Lietuvos moterų krepšinio lyga (the premier Lithuanian women's basketball league) was established. In 1994, the second tier Lithuanian men's basketball league, Lietuvos Krepšinio A Lyga, was established. In 2001, the Lietuvos moksleivių krepšinio lyga (the Lithuanian pupils basketball league) was established. Since the late 1990s the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga is particularly known for its long-term rivalry between Lithuania capital city Vilnius team BC Lietuvos rytas / BC Rytas and the most titled Lithuanian basketball club BC Žalgiris from Lithuania's second largest city Kaunas.{{cite web |title=Krepšinio klasika: „Lietuvos ryto“ pirmasis LKL titulas |url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-138855-krepsinio-klasika-lietuvos-ryto-pirmasis-lkl-titulas.html |website=BasketNews.lt |access-date=29 June 2025 |language=lt}} In 1999, BC Žalgiris won the EuroLeague tournament, however next season BC Lietuvos rytas defeated BC Žalgiris during the LKL Finals, becoming the first Lithuanian champions other than BC Žalgiris.

File:Pranas Talzunas (1937) 2.jpg

File:Frank Lubin EuroBasket 1939.jpg

File:Arvydas Sabonis.jpg

File:Rimas Kurtinaitis.jpg

File:Valdemaras Chomičius.jpg

File:Ramūnas Šiškauskas at all-star PBL game 2011.JPG

File:Darius Songaila Wizards.jpg

File:Sarunas Jasikevicius by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg

File:Robertas Javtokas and Andre Iguodala.jpg

File:Linas Kleiza1.2009-07-31 (cropped).jpg

File:Jonas Valanciunas 2022 by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg

File:Mantas Kalnietis.jpg

File:Domantas Sabonis by Augustas Didzgalvis (cropped).jpg

File:Marius Grigonis by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg

There have been a few notable Lithuanians who never played for Lithuania national basketball team in FIBA-organized tournaments or the Olympic Games. Most of those lived in the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, who only competed independently in tournaments between the United Republics.

Due to various reasons (especially because of the World Wars) many Lithuanians left their country. As a result of this, there is a group of notable basketball players of Lithuanian descent. A few even expressed interest in playing for the Lithuanian squad.

;Male players at the NBA

Drafted, but never played in the NBA

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;Female players at the WNBA

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | title=Su Lietuvos vardu per Europą, per pasaulį: Lietuvos krepšinio rinktinių kelias (1925-2008 m.) |first1=Algimantas |last1=Bertašius |first2=Stanislovas |last2=Stonkus |location=Kaunas |publisher=Arx Baltica, Lietuvos krepšinio federacija |year= 2009 |language=lt |isbn=978-9955-39-075-6}}
• {{cite book | title=Lietuvos krepšinis |first=Stanislovas |last=Stonkus |language=lt |location=Kaunas |publisher=Šviesa |year=2007 |isbn=978-5-430-04703-0 |series=Pažinkime Lietuvą}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Basketball in Lithuania}}

{{LKL}}

{{Basketball in Europe by country}}