BC Šiauliai () is the professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
club of
Šiauliai
Šiauliai ( ; ) is a city in northern Lithuania, the List of cities in Lithuania, country's fourth largest city and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, sixth largest city in the Baltic States, with a population of 112 581 in 202 ...
,
Lithuania
Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
. The club competes in the
Lithuanian Basketball League
Lithuanian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Lithuania, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe
** Lithuanian language
** Lithuanians, a Baltic ethnic group, native to Lithuania and the immediate geographical region
** L ...
. It has won the 3rd place award (behind Lithuanian basketball giants
Lietuvos Rytas
''Lietuvos rytas'' (lit. 'Morning of Lithuania') is a Lithuanian daily newspaper.
History and profile
"Lietuvos rytas" was established in 1990 on a basis of newspaper "Komjaunimo tiesa". The paper is printed in Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is ...
and
Žalgiris) in the
LKL a record 9 times.
History
BC Kelininkas (1982–1994)
The team was formed in 1984 and participated in the second-tier Lithuanian league. Following
Tauras Šiauliai club bankrupt, BC Kelininkas became city's primary basketball club. During the 1994–95 season in
LKAL, BC Kelininkas played his last season under this name. BC Kelininkas, led by
,
Robertas Giedraitis,
Donatas Slanina
Donatas Slanina (born 23 April 1977) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who plays as a shooting guard in his professional career. He also shortly worked as an assistant coach. After starting his professional career in Šiauliai, he w ...
and
Mindaugas Žukauskas, finished with the 18–2 regular season record and advanced into the playoffs. There they successfully completed two stages by overcoming
Banga Kaunas and
SAVY Vilnius. Though, later they were defeated by
Vilnius LPA twice. Then BC Kelininkas, due to the sponsorship reasons, was renamed to BC Šiauliai.
First victories and titles (1994–2003)
In June, 1994
Adomas Klimavičius and
Šiaulių plentas company chief engineer
Algimantas Mikšys participated in the
LKL board meeting, where they presented filmed material about Šiauliai city infrastructure, budget, team roster and coaches. Then the board members voted: ten members from thirteen voted for BC Šiauliai request acceptance to join LKL. The team successfully joined LKL and was coached by
.
After two loses to
Lavera Kaunas and
Statyba Vilnius, BC Šiauliai returned home. During the first game in
Tauras Sports Hall, BC Šiauliai achieved club's first victory in LKL versus
NECA Kaunas 93–75.
Oleg Bulancev scored 25 points,
Mindaugas Žukauskas – 18 points,
Arvydas Tamkevičius added 17 points back then.

Following successful debut season in LKL, where they finished 4th, the club achieved the right to participate in the
1995–96 FIBA Korać Cup tournament. The sorcery told that their first opponent will be
Śląsk Wrocław
Wrocławski Klub Sportowy Śląsk Wrocław Spółka Akcyjna, commonly known as WKS Śląsk Wrocław (), is a Polish professional Association football, football club based in Wrocław that plays in , the second level of the Polish football leagu ...
from
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
. BC Šiauliai showed extraordinary fighting efficiency in the second half and defeated the Polish team 100–88, thanks to the solid 24-points performance by
Giedrius Pečiulionis.

BC Šiauliai won the 32nd Lithuanian men's basketball cup. The team joined the tournament in the third stage where they defeated
Olimpas Plungė twice. The final four took place in
Šiauliai
Šiauliai ( ; ) is a city in northern Lithuania, the List of cities in Lithuania, country's fourth largest city and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, sixth largest city in the Baltic States, with a population of 112 581 in 202 ...
. In the semi-final BC Šiauliai overcome
BC Šilutė 83–68 and in the final, after a spirited battle, they won versus
Statyba Vilnius 96–88.
On April 1, 1996,
Mindaugas Žukauskas has performed a record appearance, when BC Šiauliai met the regular season winners
Atletas Kaunas in the LKL quarter-final. Žukauskas led his hometown team to the 91–86 victory by scoring 45 points (11 two-pointers, 5 three-pointers and 8 free-throws). This astonishing performance remains unimproved until the nowadays.
The
1998 LKF Cup Final Four was hosted in Šiauliai and the team was willing to defend their last season' golden title at any costs. Though, they were overshadowed by the newly formed
Lietuvos rytas-Statyba Vilnius 65–72.
During the 1999–00 LKL season, BC Šiauliai won their first-ever LKL bronze medals by reaching the 3–1 revenge versus
Sakalai Vilnius, who crushed their bronze dreams previous season. First series game, which BC Šiauliai unexpectedly won 77–62 in
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
, is regarded as crucial. The series ended 3–1.
Another record performance happened on March 3, 2001, when
Giedrius Pečiulionis realized 11 three-pointers from 16 versus
BC Panevėžys. Totally, Pečiulionis scored 41 points that night and led BC Šiauliai to the excellent 107–69 triumph. This performance was just 2 three-pointers behind from the LKL record of 13 three-pointers held by
Joey Vickery since 1996, and is the second result in the whole LKL history. Third result of 10 three-pointers per one game is also held by Giedrius Pečiulionis since 1998.
During the 2000–01 season, BC Šiauliai achieved the LKL all-time scoring record of 143 points versus
BC Suvalkija in
Marijampolė
Marijampolė (; also known by Marijampolė#Names, several other names) is the Capital city, capital of Marijampolė County in the south of Lithuania, bordering Poland and Russian Kaliningrad Oblast, and Lake Vištytis. The city's population stood ...
. Totally, BC Šiauliai players realized 49 two-pointers with the stunning 86% accuracy and 39 free-throws. In the same season BC Šiauliai won their second consecutive LKL bronze medals, winning series 3–1 versus
Alita Alytus. The final victorious 62–97 match was played in
Alytus
Alytus () is a city with Town privileges, municipal rights in southern Lithuania. It is the List of cities in Lithuania, sixth-largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, 14th-largest city in the Baltic ...
.
BC Šiauliai failed to extend their bronze medals streak this time, losing the LKL bronze series 2–3 in 2002 and 1–3 in 2003 to
Alita Alytus. Although, that was just a silence before the true storm.
True LKL bronze domination (2004–2010)
During the 2003–04 season, BC Šiauliai returned to the bronze LKL throne, defeating
Sakalai Vilnius 3–2 in the final series game 84–78.

Next season they totally won 3 bronze medals in three different competitions. First of all, BC Šiauliai participated in the
FIBA Europe cup
The FIBA Europe Cup (FEC) is an annual professional club basketball competition organised by FIBA for eligible European clubs. It is FIBA Europe's second level competition. Clubs mainly qualify based on their performance in national leagues an ...
Final Four, held in
Moscow
Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
. They were crushed 94–57 by
Lokomotiv Rostov in the semi-final, though they successfully rehabilitated next day with the 86–71 victory over
EURAS Ekaterinburg and were decorated with the season' first bronze medals. Secondly, they continued their solid season in
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League (BBL) was the Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004. The league mainly focused on teams from the Baltic states, but teams from Sweden, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Belarus
Belarus, officially the Rep ...
, reaching the semi-final. They failed to overcome the legendary Lithuanian club
Žalgiris Kaunas there, losing 89–61, but were able to defeat
BK Ventspils 97–87 and won their second bronze medals that season. Astonishing season ended with the 3–1 series triumph over
Sakalai Vilnius during the LKL bronze final, winning the club's fourth LKL bronze medals.
In the 2005–06 season, BC Šiauliai once again won BBL bronze medals, defeating
Nevėžis Kėdainiai 76–59. That day the team was led by
Tadas Klimavičius (12 points, 15 rebounds) and
Artūras Jomantas (20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and steals). The team also won their fifth LKL bronze medals after sweeping
Nevėžis Kėdainiai 3–0. All the series victories were achieved with the average of 15.7 points.
During the 2006–07 season, the club won their sixth bronze medals, defeating
Neptūnas Klaipėda 3–0 as well. Though, this time two away games were won respectively by only two and three points.
Before the 2007–08 season, BC Šiauliai club moved to their newly built 5,700 seats
Šiauliai Arena. First official game there was played on September 28, 2007, versus
Aisčiai-Atletas, winning it 73–61. That season they won the
LKF Cup bronze medals for the first time, losing to the
Euroleague
The EuroLeague is a European men's professional basketball club competition. The league is widely recognised as the top-tier and the most prestigious men's basketball league in Europe. The league consists of 20 teams, of which 16 are given lon ...
participant
Lietuvos rytas Vilnius only 66–71 in the semi-final, but confidently defeating
Neptūnas Klaipėda 111–92 for the bronze. The final four was held in
Šiauliai
Šiauliai ( ; ) is a city in northern Lithuania, the List of cities in Lithuania, country's fourth largest city and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, sixth largest city in the Baltic States, with a population of 112 581 in 202 ...
. BC Šiauliai also won their seventh LKL bronze medals, after smashing
BC Alytus 3–0. The team has shown impressive sports form with 95.7 points per game in the series.
In the 2008–09 season BC Šiauliai won their second
LKF Cup bronze medals. In the semi-final they once again lost to
Lietuvos rytas Vilnius 94–66, but overcome
Aisčiai Kaunas team, which was led by
Donatas Motiejūnas, to win the bronze 97–89. Records times returned for BC Šiauliai when
Andrius Šležas
Andrius Šležas (born February 4, 1975) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player and basketball coach. During his playing career, he was best known as a 3-point specialist.
Professional playing career
Šležas was named the Lithua ...
participated in the
2009 LKL Three-point Shootout contest. During the tournament semi-final, he accurately made 27 of 30 three-pointers and achieved the tournament record, which is unimproved until the nowadays. Although, Šležas never won the title, despite competing in the contest three times. In the spring of 2009, they qualified for the LKL bronze final once again. BC Šiauliai won first two series games after
OT with identical result of 101–93. Though, Neptūnas did not gave up after first two exhausting games and won two consecutive games as well: 90–95 and 78–75. BC Šiauliai secured their bronze title in the fifth series game, defeating Neptūnas 80–73, and winning their eighth victorious LKL bronze medals series 3–2.

BC Šiauliai firmly expanded their bronze medals collection in the 2009–10 season. As year before, they began with the
LKF Cup bronze, winning versus
Nevėžis Kėdainiai 76–79.
Derrick Low (23 points, 6 assists) and
Deividas Gailius (21 points) led BC Šiauliai to the close victory back then. Derrick Low also participated in the 2010 LKL Three-point Shootout contest, winning first such title for the club. In the tournament final he scored 22 points and outperformed
Adas Juškevičius who scored 21. BC Šiauliai won another thriller 84–83 in the
BBL bronze final versus
BK Ventspils after
Vytautas Šarakauskas buzzer-beater. The referees counted it in, however BK Ventspils submitted a protest by telling that it was made after time. BBL accepted their protest and decided to rematch the game on Sunday. Though, BK Ventspils club did not show up in the game and technically lost it 20–0. BC Šiauliai players were awarded with the club's third BBL bronze medals set. They also captured their season' third bronze medals in the LKL bronze final by defeating
Juventus Utena in the third series game 87–67, winning the series 3–0. It was the club's seventh straight LKL bronze medals set. Following the outstanding season ending, team leader
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
Mindaugas Kuzminskas (born 19 October 1989) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player and the captain (sports), vice-captain for AEK B.C., AEK Athens of the Greek Basketball League (GBL). He also formerly represented the Lithuania men's nat ...
, who averaged 16.7 points and 6 rebounds per game in LKL, signed with the legendary
Žalgiris Kaunas.
Tough times (2011–2013)

After seven solid seasons, BC Šiauliai had difficult times during the next three. Edvinas Ruzgas won the 2011 LKL Three-point Shootout contest, however it was the only title BC Šiauliai received that season. The club achieved only 7th spot in the BBL that season. Furthermore, they also surprisingly lost the LKL quarter-final to
Juventus Utena and did not qualify into the
Eurocup, staying without the European competitions for the first time after nine consecutive seasons.
BC Šiauliai returned to the BBL bronze final during the
2011–12 BBL season, but they were defeated by
VEF Rīga there. The team finished 3rd during the
2011–12 LKL regular season and advanced into the LKL bronze final, though they were crushed 3–1 there by
Rūdupis Prienai.
The 2012–13 season was another dark spot for the BC Šiauliai club history. Firstly, they were eliminated in the quarter-final of BBL by
BK Ventspils due to the unfavorable points ratio as they lost the second series game 80–87 and the first game was won only by 3 points (81–78). It was the club's all-time worst performance in BBL. In the
2012–13 LKL regular season they finished only 6th and were defeated by
BC Prienai once again, this time – at the quarter-final 2–0.
BBL champions (2013–2016)

Following the three completely dry seasons, BC Šiauliai started expanding their trophies collection again. First of all,
Travis Leslie won the 2014 LKL Slam Dunk Contest by performing tremendous dunks. He also led Šiauliai to the
2013–14 Baltic Basketball League title and was named
MVP
MVP most commonly refers to:
* Most valuable player, an award, typically for the best performing player in a sport or competition
* Minimum viable product, a concept for feature estimating used in business and engineering
MVP may also refer to:
...
twice: in the regular season and in the finals. Despite that, BC Šiauliai were eliminated in the LKL quarter-final again by the future finalist
Neptūnas Klaipėda. Travis Leslie joined
Lietuvos rytas Vilnius after this season and won the LKL Slam Dunk Contest again by dunking over
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to simply as Mercedes and occasionally as Benz, is a German automotive brand that was founded in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Group, established in 2019) is based in Stuttgart, ...
and
Grigorij Khizhnyak. BC Šiauliai retained their BBL title by defeating
BK Ventspils in the finals 2–0 during the following season. Second game, which was won 88–80, required
OT.
Gintaras Leonavičius
Gintaras Leonavičius (born October 29, 1983) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player, playing as a shooting guard. Born in Panevėžys
Panevėžys () is the fifth-largest List of cities in Lithuania, city in Lithuania and the ...
was named MVP of the tournament. BC Šiauliai also recovered their
LKF Cup bronze title that season. However, the
2014–15 LKL season playoffs ended early for them, after being eliminated in the quarter-final for the third straight season, this time – by
Lietuvos rytas Vilnius 3–0. Following the end of the season, two BC Šiauliai players:
Rokas Giedraitis
Rokas Giedraitis (born August 16, 1992) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for KK Crvena zvezda, Crvena zvezda of the Serbian Basketball League of Serbia, KLS, the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He primarily plays at the small forward ...
and
Julius Jucikas joined Rytas.
On July 29, 2015, the club was invited to join the
2015–16 FIBA Europe Cup tournament, which is the alternative version of the 2nd tier European tournament
Eurocup, organized by
FIBA
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA ; French language, French: ) is an association of national organizations which governs the sport of basketball worldwide. FIBA defines the rules of basketball, specifies the Basketball equipment ...
. Though, the team did not advance into the second stage of the FIBA Europe Cup due to the unfavorable points difference. On April 6, 2016, the team won their third
BBL title in a row. In the LKL, the club lost a tough series to future finalist
BC Neptūnas 1:3, despite strong efforts from the returning Rokas Giedraitis, who was loaned to the team by Lietuvos rytas.
Decline and the return of Antanas Sireika (2016–2023)
The 2016–2017 season, however, became one of the worst nightmares in club history. Coach Petrauskas left the team, and was replaced by longtime former player and assistant coach Vaidas Pauliukėnas. The team also left the BBL, but participated in the BBL Cup tournament (finishing 4th). Due to poor financial situation, many players left the club, resulting in the team plummeting to the bottom of the LKL, and in the
2016–17 FIBA Europe Cup, where Šiauliai lost all 6 games. Longtime president Adomas Klimavičius resigned, and was replaced by former player
Mindaugas Žukauskas. Financial problems and scandals plagued the team. Despite some improvement by the end of the season, in large part due to great performances by
Martynas Echodas, Šiauliai still finished in last place in the LKL - the team's worst season in history.
, legendary coach of the team, was announced as the coach for the 2017–18 season. Šiauliai then signed players like
Nick Zeisloft, whose many clutch baskets helped during the season,
Arminas Urbutis and the returning
Vytautas Šarakauskas, re-signed point guard
Donatas Sabeckis
Donatas Sabeckis (born 30 December 1992) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for M Basket Mažeikiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). He primarily plays as point guard, but can also play as shooting guard or small forward.
...
and loaned
Laurynas Birutis, a talented young center, from
BC Žalgiris
Basketball Club Žalgiris () commonly known as BC Žalgiris, is a professional basketball club based in Kaunas, Lithuania. They compete domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lithuanian Basketball League (''Lietuvos krepšinio lyga'') and ...
. Šiauliai also returned to the
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League (BBL) was the Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004. The league mainly focused on teams from the Baltic states, but teams from Sweden, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Belarus
Belarus, officially the Rep ...
. Šiauliai initially struggled, including an 8-game losing streak at the start of the season, leading to many fans remembering the poor 2017 season. By March, the team had completely recovered, winning 9 of their last 14 games, including upset victory at home over Žalgiris 93:90, and two wins over
BC Neptūnas 78:71 in Klaipėda and 77:76 at home. A blowout win over
BC Lietkabelis
BC Lietkabelis (), commonly known as Lietkabelis Panevėžys, also known as 7bet-Lietkabelis for sponsorship reasons, is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in Panevėžys, Lithuania, participating in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lit ...
, last year's LKL finalist, 87:65, helped the team secure 5th place. In the LKL quarterfinals, returning after a one-year absence, Šiauliai faced the same Lietkabelis team. The young team could not overcome the veteran leadership of Lietkabelis, and lost the series 1:3, though ending the season on a positive note. In the
2018 Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė, Šiauliai faced champion Žalgiris Kaunas, and led by an amazing performance by Birutis, who scored 35 points and had 11 rebounds, fought the champions to the limit, losing only in the end 78:85. In the
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League (BBL) was the Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004. The league mainly focused on teams from the Baltic states, but teams from Sweden, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Belarus
Belarus, officially the Rep ...
, to which the team returned after a season absence, Šiauliai was one of the best teams all season, tying first place with
BK Jūrmala in regular season group play. In the quarterfinals, Šiauliai defeated
BK Ogre on aggregate, 175:162 (78:75 at home and 97:87 away), before facing tournament favorite
BC Pieno žvaigždės
BC Pieno žvaigždės () was a professional basketball club from Pasvalys, Lithuania. Founded in 1999, the team competed in the top-tier Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) for 13 seasons from 2011 to 2024. The club name c ...
in the semifinals. The young Šiauliai team lost the series on aggregate, 148:159 (84:91 at home and 64:68 away) to Pieno žvaigždės, who went on to win the BBL. In the 3rd place matchup, Šiauliai faced
BC Tartu
Tartu Ülikooli korvpallimeeskond ( English: University of Tartu men's basketball team), also known as Tartu Ülikool Maks & Moorits for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Tartu, Estonia. They are a part of the Univer ...
, and won the first game in Tartu 88:86, but lost in a huge upset at home 70:78 and lost on aggregate, 158:164, leaving the 3 time BBL champions with a disappointing 4th-place finish.
Over the next to seasons, 2018-2019 and 2019–2020, Šiauliai did not have the same amounts of success. Team leaders like Birutis, Sabeckis and Zeisloft left the team. Šiauliai finished last in 2019, though did improve in 2020, finishing in 8th place. Many players, like
Karolis Lukošiūnas,
Ignas Vaitkus,
Rokas Gustys
Rokas Gustys (born 22 August 1994) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for the Tokyo United Basketball Club, Tokyo United of the B.League. Gustys has competed with the Lithuanian junior national teams on multiple occasions.
Early life ...
and
Evaldas Šaulys, moved on to top teams in the LKL after successful individual seasons with Šiauliai. In the 2020–2021 season, Šiauliai, led by LKL season MVP
Elvar Már Friðriksson,
Andy Van Vliet,
Arminas Urbutis,
Kaspars Bērziņš,
Martynas Varnas and veteran
Mindaugas Lukauskis, finished 7th in the LKL. Friðriksson in particular had many great performances for Šiauliai.
The 2021–2022 season was the return among the LKL elite for Šiauliai. Coach Sireika remained with the team, and the team, led by
Jon Elmore, managed to reach the LKL semifinals for the first time since the 2011–2012 season, by defeating
CBet Jonava 3–1 in the first round of the LKL playoffs. In the semifinals, Šiauliai lost to
Rytas Vilnius 1–3 in the semifinals, but not before giving the best fight they can to the team that later won the LKL championship. Playing in the bronze medal series, Šiauliai faced
Žalgiris Kaunas, who missed the LKL finals for the first time in LKL history, and lost the series 0–4. Šiauliai also reached the semifinals of the
King Mindaugas Cup for the first time since the 2014–2015 season, beating the heavily favored
BC Juventus
BC Juventus (), also known as Uniclub Bet Juventus for sponsorship reasons, is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in Utena, Lithuania. Founded in 1999, the club currently plays in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lithuanian Basketbal ...
team coached by long time player of Šiauliai, Žydrūnas Urbonas, in the quarterfinals, and was runner-up in the newly established
2021–22 European North Basketball League, where Šiauliai lost to
Anwil Włocławek
Anwil is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Sissach (district), Sissach in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland.
History
Anwil is first mentioned in 1276.
Geography
Anwil has an are ...
in the finals.
Because of the successful previous season, fans had higher hopes for the 2022–2023 season. Šiauliai had earned a spot in the qualifying tournament for the
2022–23 Basketball Champions League
The 2022–23 Basketball Champions League was the 7th season of the Basketball Champions League (BCL), the premier European Professional sports, professional basketball competition for Sports club, clubs launched by FIBA. The season began on 3 ...
season. While some top players for the team, like
Giedrius Staniulis,
Issuf Sanon, and in particular Elmore, left during the summer, for bigger deals elsewhere, Šiauliai retained much of the same roster and signed
Kyle Mangas to replace Elmore. Despite higher hopes from fans, Šiauliai were unable to achieve any kind of success during the season - Šiauliai lost in the first round of the Basketball Champions League, to
Heroes Den Bosch. Finalists the previous season, Šiauliai only finished 6th in their group in the
2022–23 European North Basketball League
2022–23 European North Basketball League was the second season of the European North Basketball League, a regional basketball competition patronised by FIBA.
In this season were 15 teams from 8 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cz ...
tournament, far away from playoff contention. In the
King Mindaugas Cup, Šiauliai reached, and were quickly beaten in the play-in stage by Juventus. For much of the LKL season, Šiauliai contended for the playoffs, but an injury to team leader
Martynas Varnas resulted in Šiauliai falling in the standings, with no one really replacing Varnas, and on the final day of the regular season, Šiauliai faced
BC Nevėžis for the final spot in the LKL playoffs- Šiauliai lost the match, and just one year after playing in the LKL semifinals, finished the season in disappointing 9th place - out of the LKL playoffs entirely. Most of the newer players were unable to replace the previous season leaders, and much of the remaining roster didn't have better seasons and as a result, Šiauliai struggled all year. Coach Sireika, who had coached Šiauliai for a total of 18 seasons, retired soon after.
2023-present
With Sireika's retirement, Šiauliai signed
Nikolajs Mazurs as the new head coach for the team. Šiauliai changed up much of the roster for the team, with newcomer point guard
L.J. Thorpe being the most significant of the signings during the summer, while Varnas departed Šiauliai to sign with
7-Bet Lietkabelis. Under Mazurs, Šiauliai had one of the worst starts in club history, starting just 2-12 in the LKL, in last place. In December, after losing the last 11 out of 12 games, Šiauliai brought in former long time player
Žydrūnas Urbonas
Žydrūnas Urbonas (born 4 October 1976, in Zarasai, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR) is a professional basketball coach and former player who recently was the head coach for Šiauliai of the LKL.
Playing career
Urbonas made his profe ...
as the new head coach for the team.
Šiauliai, under Urbonas, avoided relegation in the LKL, with a 10th place finish, and had actually returned to brief playoff contention. In the
King Mindaugas Cup, Šiauliai upset
CBet Jonava in the quarterfinals, to qualify for the Final Four tournament - and while finishing fourth, still earning praise for their efforts, as they took
BC Žalgiris
Basketball Club Žalgiris () commonly known as BC Žalgiris, is a professional basketball club based in Kaunas, Lithuania. They compete domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lithuanian Basketball League (''Lietuvos krepšinio lyga'') and ...
in the semifinals, and
BC Rytas in the bronze medal game to the limit. In the
2023-24 European North Basketball League, Šiauliai finished surprisingly first the group stage, beat the
Bristol Flyers in the quarterfinals, and qualified to the Final Four competition, as an upset - Urbonas former team,
BC Juventus
BC Juventus (), also known as Uniclub Bet Juventus for sponsorship reasons, is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in Utena, Lithuania. Founded in 1999, the club currently plays in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga, Lithuanian Basketbal ...
, a heavy favorite of the competition, were surprisingly eliminated in the quarterfinals while Šiauliai went all the way, with a respectable fourth place finish. L.J. Thorpe lead the team in scoring, while center
Tomaš Pavelka lead the team in rebounds and blocks, while
Paulius Danusevičius,
Eimantas Stankevičius and
Daniel Baslyk all had their best seasons with Šiauliai. During the season, for brief spells, former Juventus and Lietkabelis player
Jon Davis, who had a couple of game deciding clutch shots in both the LKL and the ENBL competitions, former
Labas-Gas Prienai player
Shaquille Keith and former longtime Neptūnas and CBet Jonava player
Nojus Mineikis also had memorable moments for Šiauliai.
Players
Retired numbers
BC Šiauliai has three retired numbers of players who had significant influence in the team's results previously.
Current roster
Depth chart
Squad changes for/during the 2025–26 season
In
Out
Logos
BC šiauliai classic logo.png, Šiauliai classic logo (1994–2012)
BC Šiauliai logo.png, Šiauliai new logo (2012–2019)
BC Šiauliai anniversary logo.png, 25th anniversary logo (2019)
Siauliai20.png, 20-21 Šiauliai logo (2020)
7betSiauliai.png, Šiauliai–7bet logo (2021–2022)
Siauliai20.png, Current Šiauliai logo (2022–present)
Season by season

::
Detailed information of former rosters and results.
League attendances
This is a list of league games attendances of BC Šiauliai at
Šiauliai Arena.
Head coaches

:
Last updated: .
Club players records
:
Last updated: .
Notable players
To appear in this section a player must be either:
* A player who has played at least 3 seasons (if foreign player) or 5 seasons (if Lithuanian player) for the club.
* A player who has won
individual award.
* A Lithuanian player who has played for the
Lithuanian national basketball team.
* A foreign international player who had significantly contributed into the results of the club.
* A Lithuanian player who had significantly contributed into the results of the club.
* Lithuania:
**
Martynas Andriukaitis 2003–2004
**
Rolandas Alijevas
Rolandas Alijevas (born 20 January 1985) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player of Azerbaijanis, Azeri descent.
Pro career
On 15 April 2011, Alijevas signed a contract with BC Prienai, until the end of the season.
On 28 June 2011, he s ...
2012–2013, 2014–2015
**
Sigitas Birutis 1994–2001
**
1997–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2007, 2010, 2016-present
**
Audrius Danusevičius 1997–1999, 2000–2002, 2003–2008, 2009
**
Robertas Giedraitis 1994–2006
**
Rokas Giedraitis
Rokas Giedraitis (born August 16, 1992) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for KK Crvena zvezda, Crvena zvezda of the Serbian Basketball League of Serbia, KLS, the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He primarily plays at the small forward ...
2013–2015
**
Ovidijus Galdikas 2012–2014
**
Deividas Gailius 2009–2010
**
Andrius Giedraitis 1997
**
Darius Gvezdauskas 2010–2012
**
Julius Jucikas 2010–2015
**
Robertas Javtokas
Robertas Javtokas (born March 20, 1980) is a Lithuanian professional basketball executive and former player. He most recently served as sports director of Žalgiris Kaunas. Standing at , he played the center position. He has been a member of th ...
1996–1997
**
Žygimantas Janavičius 2010–2011
**
Artūras Jomantas 2004–2006, 2015–2016
**
Aurimas Kieža 2006–2008, 2012–2013
** Saulius Kuzminskas
2001–2003, 2007–2009, 2012–2013
**
Gintaras Kadžiulis 2008–2009
**
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
Mindaugas Kuzminskas (born 19 October 1989) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player and the captain (sports), vice-captain for AEK B.C., AEK Athens of the Greek Basketball League (GBL). He also formerly represented the Lithuania men's nat ...
2008–2010
**
Tadas Klimavičius 2005–2007
**
Gintaras Leonavičius
Gintaras Leonavičius (born October 29, 1983) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player, playing as a shooting guard. Born in Panevėžys
Panevėžys () is the fifth-largest List of cities in Lithuania, city in Lithuania and the ...
2014–2015
**
Andrius Mažutis
Andrius Mažutis (born April 21, 1981) is a retired Lithuanian professional basketball player. Standing at 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in), Mažutis used to play as point guard
The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the ...
2005–2007
**
Rolandas Matulis 2002
**
Gediminas Orelik 2006–2007, 2009–2010
**
Giedrius Pečiulionis 1995–2001
**
Vaidas Pauliukėnas 1999–2008, 2009–2010
**
Virginijus Praškevičius
Virginijus Praškevičius (born 4 March 1974) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player. At a height of tall, he played at the power forward and center positions.
Professional career
Praškevičius started playing with Banga Kaunas ...
2007–2009
**
Darius Pakamanis 2001–2006, 2006–2007, 2009, 2013–2014
**
Edvinas Ruzgas 2010–2012
**
Mantas Ruikis 2005–2008
**
Donatas Slanina
Donatas Slanina (born 23 April 1977) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who plays as a shooting guard in his professional career. He also shortly worked as an assistant coach. After starting his professional career in Šiauliai, he w ...
1993–1999
**
Laurynas Samėnas 2009–2010, 2012–2013
* Lithuania (cont):
**
Vytautas Šulskis 2012–2015
**
Vytautas Šarakauskas 2009–2012
**
Gintautas Šivickas 1997
**
Andrius Šležas
Andrius Šležas (born February 4, 1975) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player and basketball coach. During his playing career, he was best known as a 3-point specialist.
Professional playing career
Šležas was named the Lithua ...
1996, 1998–1999, 2008–2009
**
Arvydas Šikšnius 2009–2010, 2011–2012
**
Arvydas Tamkevičius 1994–1999
**
Žydrūnas Urbonas
Žydrūnas Urbonas (born 4 October 1976, in Zarasai, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR) is a professional basketball coach and former player who recently was the head coach for Šiauliai of the LKL.
Playing career
Urbonas made his profe ...
1999–2001, 2002–2003, 2004–2005
**
Andrius Vyšniauskas 1999–2000, 2002–2003
**
Rolandas Vaičiūnas 1998–2008
**
Valdas Vasylius 2011–2012
**
Donatas Zavackas
Donatas Zavackas (born 23 April 1980) is a Lithuanian professional basketball executive and former player, who is the sports director for Wolves Twinsbet of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroCup. He played college basketball at ...
2007–2008
**
Mindaugas Žukauskas 1994–1998, 2009–2012
**
Eurelijus Žukauskas 1996
**
Laurynas Birutis 2017–2018
* USA:
**
Jeff Allen 2014–2015
**
Rashaun Broadus 2010–2012
**
Denzel Bowles 2011–2012
**
Brandon Brown 2009–2010
**
Chris Cooper
Christopher Walton Cooper (born July 9, 1951) is an American actor. Having made his debut as a stage actor, he made his Breakthrough role, breakthrough on television as Sheriff July Johnson in the acclaimed Western television miniseries ''Loneso ...
2013–2014
**
Stefhon Hannah 2008–2009
**
Cameron Long 2011–2012
**
Travis Leslie 2014
**
Derrick Low 2009–2010
**
Derek Needham 2013–2014
**
Bambale Osby 2014
**
Chase Simon 2012–2013
**
David Weaver 2010–2011
**
Jon Davis 2023
*Belgium:
**
Andy Van Vliet 2020–2021
* Ukraine:
**
Michailas Anisimovas 2003–2005
**
Roman Gumenyuk 2010–2012, 2015–2016
* Croatia:
**
Mario Delaš 2010–2011
* Latvia:
**
Raitis Grafs 2009–2010, 2012
* Egypt:
**
Assem Marei 2015–2016
* Iceland:
**
Elvar Friðriksson 2020–2021
::
Detailed former players information.
References
External links
Official website
BC Šiauliaiat LKL.lt
GeltonaJuoda.lt - the official BC Šiauliai history website
Official website (archive)
BC Šiauliai BBL.netBC Šiauliai EuroCupBasketball.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Siauliai (Basketball Club)
Basketball teams in Lithuania
Siauliai, BC
Basketball teams established in 1994
1994 establishments in Lithuania