Zalgiris hands reins to Tomas Masiulis

As a player, he helped Zalgiris win the EuroLeague title in 1999

Zalgiris Kaunas appointed a new head coach, none other than Tomas Masiulis, who inked a two-year deal with an option for another season.

Masiulis, age 49, arrives from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, where he worked as Sarunas Jasikevicius's assistant coach. He helped Fenerbahce win the Triple Crown this season: Turkish League, Turkish Cup and the club's second EuroLeague crown. He started his coaching career with Zalgiris, first with Zalgiris-Sabonio mokykla and then with the club's second squad. He was promoted to the assistant coach role in the 2019-20 season. When Coach Jasikevicius joined FC Barcelona, Masiulis went with him. He worked for 'Saras' and Roger Grimau from 2020 to 2024, when Masiulis joined Fenerbahce.

As a player, Masiulis helped Zalgiris win the EuroLeague title in 1999, as well as four consecutive Lithuanian League titles from 1666 to 1999. He also played for Montepaschi Siena of Italy and Prokom Trefl Sopot of Poland before returning to Zalgiris and finishing his career with Aisciai Kaunas. Masiulis helped Siena win the 2002 Saporta Cup title and also claimed five consecutive Polish League crowns with Prokom from 2004 to 2008. "I am returning to the club that gave me everything as a player, as a coach and as a person. The work here has never been easy, but it has always been meaningful. I am very grateful for the trust," Masiulis said. "We want to fight for every inch of the court next season and stay united as a team in difficult moments."