Vilnius “Rytas” Star Radzevičius Heads to EuroLeague, Gudaitis Re-Signs as New Captain
Vilnius, Lithuania - in a stunning roster shift, Vilnius “rytas” announced today that veteran guard Gytis Radzevičius has departed for an opportunity in the EuroLeague, while simultaneously securing a new contract with center Artūras Gudaičius through the end of the 2026-2027 season. The moves signal a critically important restructuring for the Lithuanian club as it navigates a changing competitive landscape.
The departure of Radzevičius, a key figure for “rytas,” marks a turning point for the team, opening a void in leadership and scoring. Simultaneously, the retention of Gudaičius provides stability and a new focal point, with the experienced player now entrusted with the captain’s armband. This dual declaration underscores “Rytas'” commitment to remaining competitive while acknowledging the ambitions of its players to reach the highest levels of European basketball.
“Rytas” club director,Andrius Jomantas,expressed gratitude for Radzevičius’s contributions,stating the association wishes him success “in conquering the Euroleague arenas.” The club is actively pursuing reinforcements in the player market to address the gap left by Radzevičius’s move.
Despite receiving a “lucrative offer from abroad,” Gudaičius opted to remain with “Rytas,” a decision Jomantas lauded. “Artūras showed his desire to stay at our club and we appreciate it very much,” Jomantas said. “This season we unofficially had two captains – Gytis and Artūras. Thus, from the very beginning of the talks, we felt the obligation to keep Artūras, whose words and leadership in the locker room are extremely critically important.”
The club emphasized the smooth and prompt cooperation during contract negotiations with Gudaičius and his representatives. Gudaičius’s continued presence is expected to provide crucial experience and stability as “Rytas” looks to build for the future.
