The duo were key in the Lithuanian outfit getting off to a 1-0 start
Augustine Rubit marked his EuroCup return in style
Artículo
3 Min lectura
Regular Season
Round 1 of 18
Regular Season
group b
Lietkabelis PanevezysLIE
8579
Besiktas GAIN IstanbulBJK
group b
Overview
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After years on some of Europe’s biggest stages – and a season that cast doubt on his future in the spotlight – Augustine Rubit returned to the BKT EuroCup with something to prove. And in Lietkabelis Panevezys’s opening-round win over Besiktas GAIN Istanbul, he delivered a performance that reminded everyone why his name still carries weight in European basketball.
Rubit, now 34, didn’t just fill a role, he imposed himself on the game when it mattered most. Coming off a quiet first half with just 5 points, the veteran forward erupted after the break to finish with 17 points and a game-high PIR of 22. He anchored a crucial 15–0 third-quarter run that flipped the game’s momentum and set the tone for Lietkabelis’s 85–79 victory.
But beyond the numbers, Rubit’s poise and physical presence stood out. Facing a rugged Besiktas frontcourt featuring Ante Zizic and Ismael Kamagate, Rubit used quick footwork, smart positioning, and the kind of composure that only comes with experience. He drew fouls, found angles, and kept the offense steady down the stretch. In short, he looked like the leader Lietkabelis needed – and the player many wondered if they’d see again.
Rubit’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. After launching his European career in Germany with Walter Tigers Tubingen, ratiopharm Ulm, and Brose Bamberg, he climbed the ranks to reach EuroLeague prominence with Olympiacos Piraeus, Zalgiris Kaunas, and FC Bayern Munich. At his peak in Munich during the 2022–23 season, he was named EuroLeague MVP of the Month for January, only to suffer a serious Achilles injury shortly after.
His move to Kuwait last season led many to believe his time at the top level in Europe might be over. But Rubit saw things differently. Signing with Lietkabelis this summer, he made his EuroCup return after an eight-year absence and immediately showed he still belongs.
After the game, Rubit spoke about what made the difference in the second half. Not his own play, but the team’s unity.
"I like the way we start together, come out and fall together," he said. "I think we gotta learn from that. That was the biggest thing – togetherness in the second half.”
Lietkabelis head coach Nenad Canak emphasized the importance of the win, but Rubit’s individual performance may prove even more significant in the long run. With his combination of experience, skill, and leadership, he gives the team not just a frontcourt presence, but an identity.
Augustine Rubit didn’t just return to European basketball – he made a statement. And if his opening performance is any indication, his story in this competition is far from finished.