BC Lietuvos rytas

Origins (1963–1997)

In 1963 first basketball team from Vilnius, called Žalgiris, was formed. Next year it changed its name to Plastikas. The same year, 1964, Plastikas players joined a new team, called Statyba. This name was used for over 30 years.

Jonas Kazlauskas, Rimas Girskis, and then head coach Rimantas Endrijaitis led Statyba to a third place in the 1979 Soviet Union Championship. Three years later, Šarūnas Marčiulionis joined the team and became its leader. In 1987, Artūras Karnišovas joined the team at the age of 16. In 1994 Statyba won bronze medals in first LKL season.

In 1995 biggest Lithuanian newspaper Lietuvos rytas started sponsoring Sūduva Marijampolė, a basketball club from Marijampolė, Lithuania. The partnership lasted for two seasons, during which the team was known as Lietuvos Rytas Marijampolė and played in the second-tier Lithuanian league, the LKAL. A notable player for the team was teenager Darius Songaila. However, after 1996–97 season partnership ended.

At the same time Statyba faced with financial difficulties and was at the verge of bankruptcy. The team needed new investors and in 1997 Lietuvos rytas bought the club. However, new owners didn't want to continue Statyba history and started anew – the team was renamed to Statyba-Lietuvos rytas, then just Lietuvos rytas. The newspaper's investment helped the club to establish itself as one of two best in Lithuania, the other being BC Žalgiris from the country's second-largest city Kaunas.

First successes (1997–2004)

During its first season, Lietuvos Rytas managed to repeat Statyba's biggest achievement in LKL and won bronze. Next season was even better - Rytas won LKL silver, losing only to reigning Euroleague's champions BC Žalgiris. Team also took second place in 1997 William Jones Cup.

However, the biggest success at that time came in 2000, when Vilnius' side, led by the so-called "big three" — Ramūnas Šiškauskas, Andrius Giedraitis and Eric Elliott, also combined with youngsters Arvydas Macijauskas and Robertas Javtokas, managed to win LKL. The team was coached by Šarūnas Sakalauskas. It was the first time in the history of the Lithuanian Basketball League when Žalgiris did not win the LKL title. Also, Rytas reached the Saporta Cup semifinal, where they met last season Euroleague runner-up Kinder. After an upsetting home win 70–60, Lietuvos rytas lost in Italy 71–83, with Šiškauskas missing a three-pointer which would've won the two-game series for his team.

The next season, due to the split between the FIBA and ULEB, Rytas played in the FIBA Suproleague, making to the, but losing in quarterfinals to Anadolu Efes S.K.. The team won third place in the NEBL, a step down from the previous seasons second place. In the LKL finals, Žalgiris defeated Lietuvos rytas in tough five game series 3:2.

In 2002 Lietuvos rytas repeated their triumph, this time in a dramatic seven-game final series with the last game decided in overtime. The team played without center Robertas Javtokas, who was seriously injured in a motorbike crash. Lietuvos rytas also won the NEBL title in 2002, becoming the last team winning the tournament. The team held first place in the group stage of the Saporta Cup, but lost in the quarter-finals to Hapoel Jerusalem B.C..

Over the next two seasons, Lietuvos rytas lost both times in the LKL finals to Žalgiris. They had more success in Europe, though, finishing in second place in the FIBA Eurocup regional stage (though losing to KK Hemofarm in the final stage). The team also debuted in the ULEB Cup, making to the quarterfinals, but losing to Hapoel Jerusalem B.C..

2004–05 - ULEB Cup Champions

After not winning any title in the past two seasons Lietuvos Rytas decided that change was needed and started recruiting foreign coaches, first of them being Serbian Vlade Đurović. Midway through the season, team leader Frederick House suffered a season-ending injury, head coach Đurović resigned and was replaced by Slovenian Tomo Mahorič. Despite this, newcomer Tyrone Nesby, Latvian playmaker Roberts Štelmahers and an inspirational Lithuanian trio: Robertas Javtokas, Simas Jasaitis and Tomas Delininkaitis led the team to the victory of 2005 ULEB Cup, beating Pamesa Valencia in the semifinals and Makedonikos in the final. This victory granted them a place in the Euroleague, the continent's primary basketball club tournament. Lietuvos Rytas won second place in both the LKL and BBL finals, losing handily to Žalgiris.

2005–06 - Euroleague debut

Before the 2005–06 season, Croatian specialist Neven Spahija became the head coach of the team. Lietuvos rytas started the 2005–06 Euroleague season well. After losing their first two matches, Rytas matched the Euroleague record by winning seven consecutive Euroleague fixtures, defeating such teams as Winterthur FCB, champions Maccabi (twice) and Efes Pilsen. Those wins allowed Rytas to advance to Top 16 phase, where they won three times out of six, beating Tau Ceramica once and Brose Baskets twice. However, that was not enough and Lietuvos rytas was eliminated from that year's Euroleague.

After winning the Baltic Basketball League title, Lietuvos rytas won their easiest finals series, crushing Žalgiris 4–0. Despite winning the Lithuanian title, Lietuvos rytas did not acquire the country's spot for 2006–07 that was reserved to the archrival Žalgiris.

2006–07 - ULEB Cup Finalists

Although the coach and three leading players: Robertas Javtokas, Simas Jasaitis and Fred House had left the team during the interseason, the 2006–07 ULEB Cup season was rather successful for Lietuvos rytas as well, despite that two coaches were replaced during the season: Sharon Drucker from Israel was replaced by Slovenian Zmago Sagadin and the latter to his assistant coach Aleksandar Trifunović from Serbia. The roster was strengthened during the season when promising NBA player Kareem Rush arrived to lead the team to the ULEB Cup final where Lietuvos rytas was defeated by Real Madrid. However, Real Madrid's victory at the ACB semifinals and of one of four spots reserved for Spain allowed Lietuvos rytas to take part in the Euroleague 2007–08 season as the ULEB Cup finalist. On 27 April 2007, Lietuvos rytas won their second consecutive BBL title, Kareem Rush was named the Final Four MVP. The LKL finals and LKF Cup finals were both unsuccessful, though, as Žalgiris won them both.

2007–08 - Back to Euroleague

Lietuvos Rytas was very successful in the regular season of 2007–08 Euroleague, beating teams like Unicaja Málaga or Armani Jeans Milano. Very notable victories were achieved against future Euroleague finalists of that season, Maccabi Tel Aviv. On 1 November, Lietuvos rytas defeated Maccabi by 18 points at home for a third time in a row as Artūras Jomantas led the team with 19 points and became the week's co-MVP with Erazem Lorbek, both having performance index ratings of 29. The fourth victory in a row over Maccabi (away, by 5 points) was due to spectacular performances by Hollis Price (19 points) and Chuck Eidson (28 points).

A road victory against Cibona Zagreb on 31 January 2008 completed the Euroleague regular season for Lietuvos rytas and allowed them to remain at the first spot in the Group B securing a favorable position in the first pool before the Top 16 draw together with CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid and Panathinaikos Athens. Their 11–3 record was the team's best regular-season performance ever, and the best by a Lithuanian team in Euroleague at the time. However, the team wasn't as successful in the Top 16 and with record of 2–4 did not advance to playoffs.

Lietuvos rytas were the runner-up at all: the Lithuanian Basketball League, the Baltic Basketball League and the Lithuanian Cup, losing each time to Žalgiris.

Rimas Kurtinaitis era (2008–2010)

The 2008–2009 season was met by the team with a significantly reduced budget, putting a greater emphasis on young and perspective local players. Nevertheless, Lietuvos rytas managed to win the first Baltic Basketball Presidents Cup. On 21 October 2008, Lietuvos Rytas had a first chance ever to play against basketball club Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Lietuvos Rytas lost that game with result 106:126.

However, as many other Baltic professional sports clubs, Lietuvos rytas had to face the blow of financial crisis in late 2008 and early 2009. Having lost two of its foreign leaders Lietuvos rytas still managed to reach the second phase of Eurocup finishing second in their group with three home wins and three away losses. Head coach Antanas Sireika resigned and was replaced by a former Lietuvos rytas' player Rimas Kurtinaitis for the second half of the season. The team has started second phase of the Eurocup with only two foreign players, Chuck Eidson (a teammate of Petravičius at South Carolina) and Milko Bjelica on its roster which had been refreshed with promising Lithuanians. However, that was enough and Rytas successfully advanced to Final 8. Chuck Eidson was named the regular season MVP.

The Final 8 started with a victory against Benetton Treviso in quarterfinal on 2 April 2009. Two days later the team won semifinal against Hemofarm Vršac and made the third consecutive appearance in the ULEB Eurocup finals. Mindaugas Lukauskis has made a decisive three-pointer and that allowed him to become the only player to participate in the final three times in total and, later, the only two-times ULEB Cup champion. Going into finals, Rytas was considered underdog against rich Russian team BC Khimki. However, terrific performances of Steponas Babrauskas (18 points) and Marijonas Petravičius (20 points) allowed the team to overcome the odds and win the final. Lietuvos rytas made an outstanding 15:0 run, having left their rivals empty for 6 straight minutes in the third and fourth quarters. Rytas became the first team to reclaim the Eurocup title, while Marijonas Petravičius became the Final 8 MVP.

Lietuvos rytas was very successful in matches against archrival Žalgiris too. Firstly, it won the 2009 LKF Cup, with Mindaugas Lukauskis scoring the game-winning three pointer with 2 seconds left. Next was the Baltic Basketball League final game - it was won by Lietuvos rytas on 25 April 2009 over Žalgiris, 97 to 74. Chuck Eidson scored 41 points and was announced the MVP. It was the third BBL title for the club, compared to Žalgiris' two. The final trophy of the season was the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). Lietuvos rytas swept past all the teams in the playoffs and qualified to the finals. There Vilnius team confronted their rival Žalgiris Kaunas and won the series 4 to 1, the final match taking place on 18 May. This was the 4th time Lietuvos rytas became the LKL champion. It was the 5th trophy of the season for the team from 5 possible ones.

After the season team leaders Marijonas Petravičius, Mindaugas Lukauskis and Chuck Eidson left the team and Lietuvos rytas acquired new perspective players to replace them. The team began their 2009-2010 season with a dramatic loss to their rivals BC Žalgiris 78 to 83 in BBL Cup finals. Lietuvos rytas also participated in the 2009 Gomelsky Cup, in which the team claimed third place after a near-loss game against Triumph Lyubertsy 94 to 90.

Lietuvos rytas was not successful in Euroleague‍—‌they lost the deciding game against Unicaja Málaga, took the 5th place in Group B and did not advance to the Top 16. However, their fierce battles with BC Žalgiris continued. After winning the LKF Cup by the score of 77:65, Lietuvos rytas, having problems with players injuries, suffered a loss in the BBL Finals to their rivals from Kaunas, 66 to 73. However, Lietuvos rytas took revenge and won the LKL trophy, beating Žalgiris after a thrilling series 4–3. It was the second consecutive LKL title of Vilnius' team. After the conclusion of the season, head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis left the club to be replaced by Croatian Dražen Anzulović.

2010–11 - Fourth Euroleague season

The Euroleague 2010–2011 season was the fourth one for Lietuvos rytas. After an unsuccessful start of the season, Dražen Anzulović was replaced by the team's former coach Aleksandar Trifunović. The result being 0-4 in their Group C, the team signed free agent Lithuanian star and a former team member Šarūnas Jasikevičius. After winning 3 of 3 last Euroleague group phase games, Rytas qualified for the Top 16 stage in the fourth berth during their last games. At the New Year's Eve Jasikevičius was replaced by a former member of the team Simas Jasaitis, also a free agent.

The Top 16 phase was the most successful for the team from all its 3 attempts. Playing in the Group E Lietuvos rytas defeated Caja Laboral at home, Panathinaikos Athens and Unicaja Málaga on the road. The last round remaining, the team had a chance to finish first in their Top 16 E group. However, Lietuvos rytas lost to Caja Laboral and took the third place in the group. The 9th place in Euroleague is the highest achievement for Lietuvos Rytas in this tournament in whole club history.

However, the remaining part of the season was unsuccessful for the club as Lietuvos Rytas lost in the semi-final at the Baltic Basketball League and finished only in 3rd place for the first time in club history. The Coach Trifunović was replaced by assistant coach Darius Maskoliūnas. The game improved, but the team ended up losing to Žalgiris in the LKL finals, 4 games to 1.

2011–12 - Euroleague qualification finalists

After dismissing Milko Bjelica, Kenan Bajramović, D.J. Strawberry, Cemal Nalga and losing team leader Martynas Gecevičius, Lietuvos Rytas replaced 8 players and opened a new page in club history. The beginning of the season was not very successful as Lietuvos Rytas didn't win Euroleague's qualification tournament which was organized in Vilnius. Lietuvos Rytas won their first two matches against Budućnost and Cibona Zagreb, but lost the final game against Galatasaray with a score of 63:71. Because of that, Lietuvos Rytas had to play at the second-tier European competition - EuroCup. The team, led by Renaldas Seibutis, Jonas Valančiūnas and Tyrese Rice, made it to the EuroCup quarterfinal round for the fifth time in a row and defeated BC Donetsk there, but lost to Valencia Basket in the semifinals. Rytas finished third after defeating Spartak 71:62.

Lietuvos rytas finished third in the regular season round of VTB United League and qualified for the eighth-final. They defeated BC Nizhny Novgorod there and advanced to quarterfinals where they met BC Khimki. Khimki were reigning Eurocup and VTB league champions and they were considered heavy favorites, but, unexpectedly, Rytas won the series 2:1. The Final Four tournament was organized at Siemens Arena. After a tense semifinal Lietuvos Rytas lost to CSKA and went on to win 3rd place against Lokomotiv-Kuban.

Despite two third places in international competitions, Rytas lost the LKL final series to Žalgiris 0:3. This was the worst domestic season in team's history - Rytas lost all 6 of its matches (5 in LKL and 1 in BBL) to its rival. Following the conclusion of the season, Tyrese Rice, Lawrence Roberts, Aleksandar Rašić and Jonas Valančiūnas left the team.

2012–13 - Fifth Euroleague season

After losing most of their leaders during the summer, Rytas formed a younger squad. Players like Nemanja Nedović were expected to be the future of the team. However, the season was not very successful. It started with loss of Lithuanian Supercup to BC Žalgiris. After struggling to find rhythm in the opening months, Lietuvos Rytas released coach Aleksandar Džikić, promoting Maskoliūnas as head coach. Though the game has improved, thanks to the solid play of Leon Radošević, Renaldas Seibutis and Nemanja Nedović, the Euroleague season was finished only with a 2-8 record. The team did not fare much better in the VTB United League. After Leon Radošević and Predrag Samardžiski were released, Rytas signed Milt Palacio, Tomislav Zubčić and Patrick O'Bryant. However, the rookies didn't help much and Rytas still missed the VTB playoffs, with BC Donetsk defeating Rytas in the deciding game. Coach Maskoliūnas was fired then and replaced with Dirk Bauermann. Rytas started to play much better then, and in April scored a shocking away win over BC Žalgiris (first one in almost 2 years). Rytas made the LKL finals for the 15th time in a row. However, BC Žalgiris easily swept Lietuvos Rytas 4-0 in the final.

2013–14 - Sixth Euroleague season

Due to the unsuccessful past season, the manager decided to almost completely rebuild the team: eight players left after the team lost LKL finals to the rival Žalgiris. Former team leader Martynas Gecevičius was recalled after two seasons break and a notable point guard Omar Cook was signed. Because the team was second in the domestic league, it had to hope for a Euroleague wild card. The team did not receive it, and had to participate in Euroleague's qualification tournament once again, which was held in Vilnius.

This time, Rytas, led by Renaldas Seibutis and Martynas Gecevičius, was successful: it won three games in a row (against VEF Rīga, EWE Oldenburg and Telenet Oostende), and qualified for the Euroleague. To strengthen the team roster before Euroleague games, Lietuvos rytas signed former NBA and Lithuania national team player Darius Songaila. On 18 October 2013, Lietuvos rytas started 13/14 Euroleague season with a tremendous victory against Panathinaikos Athens with the result 84–83 after Renaldas Seibutis winning shot in OT. The game was named as the Euroleague's Game of the Week and re-broadcast in over 150 countries worldwide. However, after this, the level of play for the Lithuanian team dropped significantly and Rytas was not able to win any more games. 6 games were lost by 10 points or more and it turned out to be worst Lietuvos rytas season ever in Euroleague. Following the fiasco, coach Dirk Bauermann was replaced by Croat Aleksandar Petrović. The change helped and on 22 December 2013, Rytas crushed its rival Žalgiris with the result 90–58. After being eliminated in the Eurocup playoffs by KK Crvena zvezda, Lietuvos rytas also sufered a shocking defeat in the LKF Cup finals, losing to BC Prienai 91:92, leading to the firing of coach Aleksandar Petrović, who was replaced by Dainius Adomaitis.

Despite two victories against biggest Rytas rival Žalgiris during regular season, the LKL playoffs were an disaster for Lietuvos rytas. Due to rare situation in LKL standings, Rytas and Žalgiris met in the semi-finals and not in the finals for the second time since 1998. Darius Songaila 28 points led Rytas to first series victory in Vilnius with result 90:85, however then Rytas lost to Žalgiris in Kaunas with result 57:72 and series tied at 1-1. Third crucial game was played in Vilnius, however it was not successful for the home team. Despite having 7 points lead multiple times, Rytas lost to Žalgiris with result 71:73 and did not qualified to the LKL Finals for the second time in club history, losing the series 1:2. Team captain Steponas Babrauskas described it as an tragedy, moreover one of team leaders Renaldas Seibutis injured his eye after contact with Vytenis Lipkevičius and due to required surgery missed the rest of the season. The disastrous season continued for Rytas in the VTB playoffs-after defeating BC Triumph in the first round, Rytas lost to BC Nizhny Novgorod in the semifinal round, losing a chance to play in the 2014-2015 Euroleague season. Rytas finished in 3rd place in the LKL, winning the series against BC Prienai 3:0 and winning the bronze medals-this was the team's worst season since the 1998-1999 season.

2014–15 - Return to Eurocup

After terrible LKL season last year, taking only 3rd place, Rytas lost all chances of qualifying into the Euroleague that year. He was not even invited to the qualifying tournament as before and had to return to the second-tier European league EuroCup. As a result of this, the club changed firmly. Firstly, club biggest stars Renaldas Seibutis, Omar Cook and Darius Songaila left the team. Secondly, the team played most of its games in the newly reconstructed Lietuvos rytas Arena instead of the Siemens Arena. Thirdly, Rytas withdrew from Russian VTB League. Virginijus Šeškus, a former multiple LKL bronze medalist with BC Prienai, was signed as a head coach of the team, along with his past team members Artūras Valeika and Mindaugas Lukauskis, who played six seasons in Rytas previously. Club owner Gedvydas Vainauskas shortly afterward said that enthusiastic V.Šeškus reminds him former team coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, who has led Rytas to the biggest victories in the club history. Lithuania national team member Adas Juškevičius and former NBA player Travis Leslie were signed as well.

On 15 October 2014, Rytas powerfully started the EuroCup season by 92–65 crushing Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade. They have finished first round with 8-2 record and took first place in the group. On 16 December 2014, team roster was strengthened with addition of Kšyštof Lavrinovič, who has signed two-year deal with Rytas. Later, on 5 January 2014, another Lithuania national team member Simas Jasaitis also signed with Rytas for the third time in his career. Lietuvos Rytas started the LAST-32 stage in Eurocup by winning against the best team in Poland, Turów Zgorzelec which was relegated to Eurocup after winning only one game in Euroleague's regular season. Despite successful start, Rytas lost three games of six in the second stage and qualified into the next round by taking 2nd place in the group only after the crucial smash-up of Telenet Oostende 111–83 at the last game in Vilnius. Due to questionable shape of the team, Virginijus Šeškus was fired as head coach. Despite fired as head coach, Šeškus stayed in Rytas as an assistant of the new head coach Marcelo Nicola.

On 20–22 February, Rytas participated in 2015 LKF Cup. They defeated Dzūkija 78–63 in the quarter-finals and Šiauliai 71–61 in the semi-finals, however at the finals Rytas lost season's first trophy to principal rival Žalgiris 76–82 and extended trophies drought.

On 4 March 2015, Lietuvos rytas played first game of the Eurocup playoffs versus Pınar Karşıyaka. Despite having the double-digit lead multiple times, Rytas failed to secure it until the final seconds. The match finished with result 81–81 and the series winner was to be decided in Turkey. Despite the affirmative thoughts and the mighty moods, on 11 March, Rytas players failed to show any positive signs in the game. The deficit was already shattering after the first two quarters (34–53). The final result was 97–81, ending the two-times Eurocup champion Rytas journey in the international competitions early that year.

In LKL, Rytas started ambiguously. On 19 October 2014 they suffered first defeat against Žalgiris 82–84 in Vilnius. Although, they defeated the Euroleague participant BC Neptūnas week later. On 15 November 2014 during the game against Pieno žvaigždės second defeat happened. Furthermore, on 28 December 2014, Rytas also suffered defeat to Neptūnas 90–94 in their home arena. On 1 January 2015 Rytas failed to compete for the victory during the second game against Žalgiris in Kaunas, losing the game 77–91. Though, on 8 March 2015 Rytas shown solid positive signs under the command of the new head coach. They absolutely crushed Žalgiris in Vilnius with result 93–66 and at times the Rytas lead was even 35 points. Žalgiris assistant coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius described the game as a "shame". Following the fiasco in Eurocup, on 15 March 2015, Rytas tremendously defeated Neptūnas 87–86 for the second time in Klaipėda after the astonishing Mike Moser shot when there was only 0.6 second remaining, and firmly improved the chances of taking the first spot during the regular LKL season. On 13 April 2015, Rytas defeated Neptūnas 84–75 for the third time, reaching the 16th straight victory in LKL, and guarantying at least second spot in the regular LKL season. The winning streak ended on the final day of the regular season, with a tough 81–82 loss to Žalgiris. With the loss, Rytas entered the playoffs as the second seed team. Though, the game referees decisions left doubtful impressions, which sparked many discussions. Consequently, Rytas requested LKL to hire foreign-born referees during the semi-finals and the grand finals to completely guarantee referees impartiality. Although, their request was rejected by the majority of the LKL clubs.

Rytas began the LKL playoffs by smashing Šiauliai 3–0 in the series (97–69, 96–107 and 96–92), in spite of all their militant efforts, especially shown by the upcoming Rytas member Rokas Giedraitis. The LKL semi-finals began much more difficultly for Lietuvos rytas, overcoming Neptūnas only during the final game minutes 88–79. Though, they later lost 101–107 in Klaipėda after OT and the semi-final series tied at 1–1. Rytas successfully reached a revenge 96–89 two days later in Vilnius. Crucial game in Klaipėda began remarkably positively for Rytas, who once even had 29 points lead. Though, Neptūnas performed their last assault and almost tied the game at the end. Still it wasn't powerful enough assault as Rytas won the game by 5 points and eliminated Neptūnas 3–1, qualifying into the LKL grand-final after one-year break.

Lietuvos rytas began LKL finals with a close defeat of 66–73 to Žalgiris. Antanas Kavaliauskas dominated in the first half with total of 17 points, Kšyštof Lavrinovič did the same in the second half with 17 points as well, though the team failed to receive solid support from the team captain Martynas Gecevičius (4 points, 0/5 three-pointers) and one of the key players Gediminas Orelik (2 points, 1/6 field goals). During second game, Rytas suffered desperate defeat 62–78 in Vilnius. All-season team's leaders: Gecevičius, Kavaliauskas and Orelik together scored only 13 points. Then Žalgiris won two more games: 71–68 after OT and 77–85. Rytas was crushed 0–4 in the finals once again. Despite the victories in the regular season and 2–3 LKL semi-final result last season, their most recent victory versus Žalgiris in the LKL finals was achieved only back in 2011.

2015–16 - Second straight Eurocup season

On 5 July 2015 Lietuvos rytas president Gedvydas Vainauskas admitted that the tickets prices and the move to the 2500 seats arena during the primary games were failure and said that the club is seeking to return the lost positions in the near future. Following the agreement with the Siemens Arena, the club once again played their most important games there. The deal with the arena owners was signed till 2020. Despite all the Rytas efforts and ULEB promises to LKL, the club did not received a wild card to the tournament and had to play in the second-tier league Eurocup for a second straight season.

Rytas early began signings with the new team members. First of all, all the foreigners left the team: Billy Baron, Mike Moser, Travis Leslie. Though, Marcelo Nicola remained as the head coach of the team, despite the disastrous LKL finals. Then one of the CSU Asesoft Ploiești leaders Marius Runkauskas replaced Martynas Gecevičius. Club president later in an interview told that the contract extension with a team leader, who scores only 10 points per 4 final games, is not possible. Unlike Gecevičius, another Rytas leader Antanas Kavaliauskas signed a new three-years deal. Rytas also signed with Deividas Gailius, who was Neptūnas team leader and had a solid Euroleague season. As a result, Simas Jasaitis had to leave the team. Later Rytas surprisingly signed with Artūras Gudaitis by paying buyout, who was a member of the principal opponents Žalgiris, and was recently drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. Team roster was also strengthened with one of the most talented young Lithuanians, Rokas Giedraitis, who had signed a four-year deal with the club. Furthermore, one of the Šiauliai leaders Julius Jucikas replaced Artūras Valeika. Seven Lietuvos rytas players were invited to the Lithuania men's national basketball team training camp. Argentina national basketball team member Nicolás Laprovíttola became Rytas roster final piece in the summer of 2015. On 19 August, first training camp was held. On 4 September, Krasta Auto (authorized BMW dealer in Lithuania) became one of the club sponsors, giving 14 brand-new cars for the club members and replacing the former vehicles sponsor Škoda. The agreement was signed for 3 years. On 23 September 2015, Kavaliauskas was chosen captain of the team.

Rytas positively began the pre-season by winning a friendly tournament in Alytus and then the Vladas Garastas Cup, where they defeated the Euroleague participant BC Khimki in the final 85–84. Rytas also started the LKL in dominating fashion.

The returning to the Siemens Arena game, which started the 2015–16 Eurocup season, ended with a vexatious 87–91 defeat to Beşiktaş J.K. The team then crushed Szolnoki Olaj KK 65–89. After a loss to BC Žalgiris 70:79, the problems began. After shocking losses to BC Avtodor Saratov 81:97 and BC Zenit Saint Petersburg 65:70 at home in the Eurocup, the team was even booed of the court. Rytas also lost to PAOK B.C. 76:81, and rumors started off about conflicts between coach Nicola and the team. Due to the hopeless shape of the team, Marcelo Nicola was fired, with rumors that he will be replaced by Tomas Pačėsas. Under current coach Aurimas Jasilionis, however, the team played the best match in the season - a thrilling 103–92 win over Beşiktaş J.K in Istanbul. A few days later, despite improved play, Rytas lost to BC Žalgiris again - 68–82 - in the Siemens Arena. The poor form of the team was quickly recalled when Rytas lost another Eurocup home game, this time to the Szolnoki Olaj KK 98–99. Another disastrous performance happened in Saratov - Rytas lost to BC Avtodor Saratov 92:109, with only minimal hope for qualification for the LAST-32 stage in the Eurocup. After the loss, coach Jasilionis was replaced by longtime assistant coach Arvydas Gronskis. After another loss, this time to BC Zenit Saint Petersburg 84–92, Rytas lost all hope to qualify to the LAST-32 stage. In the final game, Rytas lost to PAOK B.C. 81:88 at home, finishing with a 2-8 record. After the Eurocup fiasco, coach Gronskis was sent to the reserve team Perlas Vilnius again, and Tomas Pačėsas became the new head coach of the team. The team, under a firm arm of Pačėsas, finished the year with a three straight victories. On 31 December 2015, Nicolás Laprovíttola left the team. On 10 January, Julius Jucikas was traded to Dzūkija Alytus for Adam Łapeta. On 17 January, Rytas achieved the season's first victory versus Žalgiris 78–72. On 19–21 February, Rytas competed in the newly formed Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė tournament. After defeating Lietkabelis Panevėžys in the quarter-final 88–82, Neptūnas Klaipėda in the semi-final 79–97 and Žalgiris Kaunas in the final 57–67, the team won their first trophy following a five seasons drought. Antanas Kavaliauskas was named MVP. On March 29, Rytas signed a three-years contract with the Euroleague Basketball Company and will compete in its organized tournaments.

The rest of the season, however, was a complete fiasco. After losing to Žalgiris in the final regular season game, Rytas had difficulty in a victorious sweep against Lietkabelis Panevėžys in the quarterfinal stage. In the semifinals, the problems became clear - in the first match at Siemens Arena, Rytas lost to Neptūnas 71–83. After a loss at Klaipėda 68–70, Rytas was down 0–2, though managed to win the next two games 66–64 and 74–73, setting a deciding fifth game at the Siemens Arena. Rytas lost 72–73 and lost the series 2–3, suffering the biggest fiasco in club history. This was also the first time that Rytas was eliminated in the LKL by another team, instead of Žalgiris. The disappointing season ending was finished by winning LKL bronze medals series 3–0 versus the Juventus Utena.

2016–17 - Third straight Eurocup season

The signings of the new season began by contract extensions with Artūras Jomantas and Artūras Gudaitis, who decided to stay in the club. Following it, Rytas signed David Logan, who had been an Euroleague star under the command of Tomas Pačėsas. On July 23, the front line was strengthened by athletic Kenny Kadji. On July 27, Adam Łapeta signed a new two-year contract. During the summer, team captain Kavaliauskas reportedly had disputes with the team management concerning pay. Soon it was announced that Kavaliauskas would probably not return for the next season, leading to Kavaliauskas deleting the infamous "Loyalty.." message he wrote about Lietuvos Rytas last summer. In August, in a move that shocked fans from both teams alike, Kavaliauskas left the team and signed with Žalgiris Kaunas. On August 30, Drew Gordon was signed. On October 1, Rashaun Broadus signed a trial deal. On October 2, Kadji was released after failing to adapt to the team and playing just three games. On November 22, one of the Nigerian Olympic national team leaders Josh Akognon was signed as primary point guard. On December 9, Broadus was fired. On December 28, Clevin Hannah joined the team, along with Laimonas Kisielius. On January 21, Akognon left the team. Lietuvos rytas qualified to the Eurocup Top16 phase with a 3-5 record, in large part due to incredible efforts from Drew Gordon, David Logan and the rising Artūras Gudaitis. Many troubles started before the start of the Top16, as Gudaitis and Gailius suffered injuries. Rytas lost a very close game to Hapoel Jerusalem at the start in Vilnius, losing 76:80 in a game Rytas led by as much as 20 points, with the fans and coaching staff blaming the referees after the game. In the second round, Rytas lost to BC Zenit Saint Petersburg 79:88 in an away game, though fought hard and erased a bigger deficit before the end. In the next two weeks, Rytas faced BC Nizhny Novgorod, blowing out their opponents both times - 97:63 away, and 99:73 at home, with chances to reach the playoffs returning. After a tough game, and a loss, to Hapoel in Jerusalem 77:84, Rytas faced Zenit at home - David Logan scored 28 points in the deciding game, with Rytas winning 86:84, but just narrowly missing the playoffs, as Zenit won the first game by 9 points. After the failure to progress into the EuroCup Playoffs club announced addition of guard Jimmy Baron from local rivals Neptūnas. On February 10, Tomas Pačėsas decided to leave the club and was replaced by Rimas Kurtinaitis, who coached Rytas to most of its titles previously. The coching change, however, did not save Rytas from one of the most shocking and embarassing losses in the season - in the first round of the King Mindaugas Cup, Rytas, the defending champion, lost to BC Juventus 84:87. The loss also became the last game of David Logan, who after weeks of rumors left to sign with Sidigas Avellino. On 25 February, club signed a contract with forward Taylor Brown from the Polish Basketball League.

De facto BC Lietuvos rytas anthem

Marijonas Mikutavičius, the creator of de facto Lithuania Olympics Team song – Trys Milijonai, also created a special song to the BC Lietuvos rytas team, following its success in LKL and the very first steps in the prestigious Euroleague. The song is called "Laikas būti pirmiems" (English: Time To Be First) and is widely regarded as the club's anthem. To this day it is still played after the successful club's games or just at the time-outs during the home games.

Squad changes for/during the 2016/17 season

Note: exact date is listed for players who joined or left during season.

Honours

Total titles: 14

Domestic competitions

European competitions

Regional competitions

Preseason competitions

Team records in LKL

In Lietuvos rytas

To appear in this section a player must be either:

Notable coaches

The following head coaches won at least one major trophy when in charge of Rytas:

All time points per game in European Cup games (PPG)

Only players with significant amount of games played or points scored. ^‡

Sponsorships and partners

As of January 2014:

Video game

Lietuvos rytas basketball club was featured in the NBA 2K15 video game.