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Sarunas JasikieviciusBasketball player
Date of Birth: 05.03.1974
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Early Life and College Career
- Professional Club Career
- 2003-2005: Maccabi Tel Aviv Dynasty
- 2005-2007: NBA Journey and Return to Europe
- - 2007: Signed with Panathinaikos Athensin Greece.
- - 2009: Extended his contract with Panathinaikos for two more years.
- International Career
- - 2007: Helped Lithuania finish third in the European Championship.
- Personal Life
Early Life and College Career
Šarūnas Jasikevičius, a renowned Lithuanian professional basketball player and coach, was born in Lithuania. He spent 10 years in the United States, attending Solanco High Schoolin Pennsylvania. Later, he played for the University of Maryland Terrapins, where he excelled as an attacking guard. However, his professional career saw him transition to the point guard position.
Professional Club Career
1998-2003: European Success- 1998: Played for Lietuvos Rytasin Vilnius, averaging 18.0 points and 5.4 assists.
- 1999-2000: Joined Olimpija Ljubljanain Slovenia, winning the Slovenian Championship.
- 2000-2003: Played for Barcelona, winning the 2003 EuroLeague. Scored 13.4 points and dished out 3.2 assists per game.
2003-2005: Maccabi Tel Aviv Dynasty
- 2003-2005: Back-to-back EuroLeague championships with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Also won two Israeli League championships and Cups.
2005-2007: NBA Journey and Return to Europe
- 2005: Signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.
- 2007: Traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he saw limited playing time.
- 2007: Signed with Panathinaikos Athensin Greece.
2007-2012: Continued Success and Historical Achievement- 2009: Won the EuroLeague again with Panathinaikos, becoming the first player to win the trophy with three different clubs.
- 2009: Extended his contract with Panathinaikos for two more years.
- 2010: Returned to Lithuania to play for Lietuvos Rytas.- 2011: Transferred to Fenerbahçe Ülkerin Turkey.
- 2011: Joined Panathinaikos for a third time.
2012-2016: Return to Barcelona
Despite rumors of a move to Žalgiris, Jasikevičius returned to Barcelonain 2012, where he had previously enjoyed success.
International Career
Jasikevičius represented Lithuania on the international stage:- 2000: Won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics, averaging 14.0 points and 5.1 assists.
- 2003: Led Lithuania to the European Championship title, earning MVP honors.
- 2007: Helped Lithuania finish third in the European Championship.
Coaching CareerAfter retiring as a player, Jasikevičius joined the coaching staff of Žalgiris. In 2016, he became the team's head coach. In 2018, he led Žalgiris to the EuroLeague Final Four. In 2020, he was appointed the head coach of Barcelona.
Personal Life
Jasikevičius' younger brother, Vytenis, also played professional basketball. He was married to Israeli model and Miss World 1998, Linor Abargil, from 2006 to 2007. He is currently married to Greek Anna Douka, with whom he has a daughter, Aila, and a son, Lukas.
