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Raimondas-Sharunas MarchelenisHonored Master of Sports of the USSR, Olympic champion
Date of Birth: 13.06.1964
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Biography of Šarūnas Marčiulionis
- Early Life and Career
- International Success
- NBA Career
- Post-playing Career
- Business Ventures
- Personal Life
- Awards and Recognitions
Biography of Šarūnas Marčiulionis
IntroductionŠarūnas Marčiulionis is a renowned Lithuanian and European basketball legend. He is one of the few athletes from the former USSR who achieved worldwide recognition among the outstanding players of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States. Marčiulionis was born on June 13, 1964, in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Early Life and Career
Marčiulionis initially pursued tennis during his early school years but switched to basketball in 1974. He began his basketball journey under the guidance of his first coach, Yu. Fedorov, who was later replaced by O. Butautene. In 1981, Marčiulionis joined the team "Statiba" and quickly established himself as a key player, captaining the team. In the same year, he won his first title as the champion of the XVI Spartakiad of Schoolchildren of the USSR.
Throughout his career, Marčiulionis constantly improved his skills and achieved numerous accolades. He became the champion of the III Youth Games of the USSR in 1982, the champion of Europe among juniors in 1982, the silver medalist of the World Junior Championship in 1983, and the champion of the Universiade in 1985. His exceptional performance in the 1987 European Championship earned him a place in the symbolic five of the championship, acknowledging him as the second-best player in Europe.
International Success
Marčiulionis represented the Soviet Union and later Lithuania in various international basketball tournaments, including the Olympics. He played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's Olympic gold medal victory in the 1988 Seoul Games. He also won bronze medals with the Lithuanian national team in the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In 1992, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Olympic qualifying tournament.
NBA Career
On June 24, 1989, Marčiulionis became the first Soviet basketball player to sign a contract with an NBA team. He played in the NBA for eight years, representing teams such as the Golden State Warriors (1989–1994), Seattle SuperSonics (1994–1995), Sacramento Kings (1995–1996), and Denver Nuggets (1996–1997). Marčiulionis earned a reputation as an exceptional player, winning the NBA's Best Sixth Man award in 1991 and 1992.
Post-playing Career
Due to injuries, Marčiulionis was forced to retire from professional sports. However, he dedicated his expertise and experience to the development of basketball in Lithuania and Europe. He founded the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) in 1993 and later initiated the Northern European Basketball League (NEBL) in 1999. Marčiulionis also engaged in philanthropic activities, establishing foundations in Lithuania and the United States to provide assistance to those in need.
Business Ventures
Marčiulionis achieved success in business as well. In 1992, he opened his own 4-star hotel, "Šarūnas," located in Vilnius, offering comfortable accommodations and excellent facilities. He also ventured into writing, working on a book about his years in professional basketball and sharing his experiences with top players worldwide.
Personal Life
Apart from basketball, Marčiulionis is interested in tennis, football, astronomy, and reading about mysterious phenomena. He plays the guitar and enjoys spending time with his friends, who include musicians, singers, and fellow athletes. Marčiulionis resides and works in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Awards and Recognitions
Marčiulionis has been honored with numerous awards and decorations, including orders from the Grand Duke Gediminas I, III, and IV degrees, the Soviet Order of Honor, the Order of Honor from the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee, the Mindaugas Medal, and the Medal for High Sporting Achievements I degree. His contributions to basketball have been recognized with an honorary certificate from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
