Rimas Kurtinaitis has been appointed the new head coach of the Lithuanian national basketball team. He will replace Kazys Maksvytis, who held the position from 2021 to 2024. Kurtinaitis, who is currently coaching Azerbaijani club Sabah BC, will now take on the responsibility of reviving Lithuania’s national team as it looks to return to its former glory.
Lithuania, once a dominant force in international basketball, has struggled in recent years. The national team has missed the last two Olympic Games, a significant setback following five consecutive appearances. Additionally, Lithuania has not secured a medal since the 2015 EuroBasket tournament. The Baltic nation, ranked 10th in the current FIBA rankings, hopes that Kurtinaitis’ leadership will spark a resurgence.
Kurtinaitis is no stranger to the Lithuanian national team, having served as an assistant coach from 2007 to 2009 under head coach Ramunas Butautas. His return as head coach brings a renewed sense of optimism as he prepares to lead the team in EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, where Lithuania will face North Macedonia on November 21 and 24.
In a statement following his appointment, Kurtinaitis expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian Basketball Federation for the trust placed in him. “First of all, I would like to thank the Lithuanian Basketball Federation and the Lithuanian Basketball Coaches Association for their confidence,” he said. “There are big tasks ahead, and I hold myself to high standards.”
Kurtinaitis emphasized the importance of unity within the team and the need for a collective approach. “It’s difficult to predict anything at this point because we don’t know what team we’ll have. But I believe everyone understands our goals and the challenges we face. I’m confident that, together—coaches and players—we will solve them,” he added.
Kurtinaitis takes over at a critical time for Lithuanian basketball. His primary task will be to secure a place in the upcoming EuroBasket and, ultimately, restore Lithuania’s status as a top-tier basketball nation. The national team’s recent performances have fallen short of expectations, and there is a growing desire to return to the Olympic stage and win medals in international competitions.
Kurtinaitis enjoyed a decorated playing career before transitioning into coaching. He was one of the key members of the Soviet Union team that won gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He also represented Lithuania at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, helping the team secure a bronze medal. Known for his shooting prowess, Kurtinaitis was one of the most prominent European players of his era.
In addition to his international success, Kurtinaitis played professionally for several European clubs, including Zalgiris Kaunas and Real Madrid. His coaching career has been equally impressive, having led teams in Lithuania, Russia, and Azerbaijan. He has also won multiple championships as a coach, including three EuroCup titles with Lietuvos Rytas and Khimki Moscow.
As Lithuania prepares for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, all eyes will be on Kurtinaitis and his ability to guide the team back to prominence.
