Laurynas Birutis, Zalgiris: 'Like father, like son'

Zalgiris Kaunas has reached the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs thanks in part to group of newcomers that complemented a core of players who have been with the team for a while. Laurynas Birutis is in between both groups, as in his second stint with the team, he is playing a big role this time.

Birutis, age 25, played for Zalgiris's first team in the 2018-19 season, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in 17 EuroLeague games. He grew up with Zalgiris's youth teams and had a breakout season with Siauliai, his hometown club, leading the 2017-18 Lithuanian League in rebounds (7.2) and blocked shots (1.3) while averaging 15.1 points per night.

After I beat [my father] one-on-one, he started not to play with me."

Laurynas BirutisZalgiris Kaunas center

He has always played center, just like his father, Sigitas Birutis, who was with Siauliai from 1995 to 2000, who played in Poland as well as on several other clubs in Lithuania. Sigitas has stayed active over the years, playing in over-40 and over-50 leagues. In fact, competing against him allowed Laurynas to get better.

"I was very tall from my childhood, so always a center," Birutis says. "We used to play when I was a kid, but after I beat him one-on-one, he started not to play with me. I was 15 or 16 maybe, so it was my time.

"It was a challenge for me, too, because he played professionally, so I wanted to overpass him. That pushed me forward."

I was with the ball every time when I was a kid, so that's why I love this game."

Laurynas BirutisZalgiris Kaunas center

Birutis thinks his father being a professional player was the first step for him to be interested in basketball.

"I was watching his games when I was just a kid, so I think it's just how I started to play," he recalls. "I was with the ball every time when I was a kid, so that's why I love this game. He pushed me on how to work hard, how to come every day ready, give 100%, and that's the most important thing, I think."

After this first season with Zalgiris and an additional campaign with Preinai, Birutis went on to play abroad, joining Monbus Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where he grew as a player over two seasons. In the second of those seasons, he averaged 13.1 points on 61.4% shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 33 Spanish League games, after which Zalgiris showed interest in bringing him back. His father was there along the way, offering advice and traveling to see him.

"He watches almost every game. So after most of the games, he has still something to say to me, good or bad. Most of the times bad!" Birutis joked. "He even came to Santiago a couple of times just to see my games in Spain."

Birutis never lost track of what was going on in Lithuanian basketball, in general, and at Zalgiris, in particular.

"Always," he emphasized. "I kept following not only Zalgiris but also almost all Lithuanian teams, how they were doing in the Lithuanian league and in European championships."

Birutis has been a key factor for Zalgiris while coming off the bench in 33 of 34 games this season. He is averaging 5.0 points on 64.8% shooting, 3.1 rebounds and a PIR of 6.7 in less than 13 minutes on the floor. He leads Zalgiris in PIR (21.0) per 40 minutes.

Of course, his father comes to see him play regularly, but don't expect him to be the most vocal person in the arena.

"No, he's kind of quiet, like, more on an insightful person," Laurynas says. "He doesn't like [to] express himself too much."

The Birutis family has the opportunity to watch Laurynas and Zalgiris Kaunas, the pride of Lithuania, take on FC Barcelona in the upcoming playoffs. The electric atmosphere at Zalgirio Arena will surely bring some emotions from Laurynas and Sigitas, on and off the court.