Sarunas Jasikevicius: “The most memorable part of the season was the two titles and our character” 1

As the Lithuanian Basketball League had its curtain call on the season, Zalgiris resumed life in a waiting mode until the 25^th of May, as they waited a decision on the continuation of the EuroLeague season. Nevertheless, the season was also cancelled, and Zalgiris players started their vacations.

The vacation started only for the players, though, as the management and coaches already begin shaping the roster for the upcoming season. One of the men who has the next season already in mind is Zalgiris coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who shared his thoughts on the ended season, Zalgiris and the situation in European basketball.

“Whatever situation it may be, we’ll remember the season because of the pandemic. For a couple months now, that’s all we’ve talked, discussed about, and every other topic goes into the background.”

The 44-year-old coach quickly pushed the pandemic to the side, and moved on to a topic that’s more dear to his heart – basketball.

“From a basketball side, while the season was difficult, I liked it. It’s nicest that the men didn’t give up and rose from the bottom. That for me is the most important part, because character in our profession, as in every other, is the most important thing. We finished the season with two titles, which is also good, since not a lot of teams in Europe can achieve that. The most memorable part of the season was the two titles and our character.”

According to the coach, things should start moving in the player market now that the season is over, but he can’t plan things too much just yet.

“You can’t really put those plans in place. Of course, we know everything more or less, since we’re planning basically all the time, so we’ve got ideas. We know what’s going on with players, the management is talking to them and their agents. It’s not as if we’re working less during the quarantine. It’s tough thinking about this team, since not a lot of the players are free agents. A lot of them have options, pluses in their contact. It’s too early to talk about it. The main point is holding all the players, but that’s not in the coach’s hands.”

Working as Zalgiris’ head coach, Jasikevicius has already become a five-time Lithuanian champion, won the King Mindaugas cup three times, and named head coach of the year three times.