History of BC Prienai in Timeline

BC Prienai was a Lithuanian professional basketball club that competed in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) since 2009. Originally named Rūdupis, the team secured promotion to the LKL by winning the NKL championship in 2008-09. In its early LKL years, BC Prienai achieved two bronze medals. The team also participated in the EuroCup 2011-12 season. In December 2017, the club gained international attention by signing American basketball players LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball.

1994: Club Founded

In 1994, KK Prienų Taupomasis Bankas was founded and played in the LKAL as one of the top teams.

2005: Joined NKL

In 2005, the team joined the NKL ever since its foundation.

2008: NKL Champions

During the 2008–09 season, the club, then called Rūdupis, became NKL champions for the first time, defeating Meresta Pakruojis in Game 7 of the finals.

2009: Debut in LKL

The 2009–10 season marked Rūdupis' debut in the LKL.

2010: Won LKF Cup Bronze Medals

During the 2010–11 season, BC Rūdupis won the LKF Cup Bronze medals.

March 2011: Defeated Lietuvos rytas Vilnius

On 29 March 2011, BC Rūdupis defeated Lithuanian Basketball League champions Lietuvos rytas Vilnius with result 96–82, during a LKL match at their home arena.

April 2011: Rolandas Alijevas Signed

On 15 April 2011, BC Rūdupis signed a contract with Rolandas Alijevas until the end of the season.

2011: Played in EuroCup

In the 2011–12 season, the team played in the EuroCup competition, finishing 3rd in the group.

2012: Played in EuroCup and BBL Finals

During the 2012–13 season, BC Prienai played in the EuroCup but did not move past the group stage. The team also reached the BBL finals, and won the LKF Cup against Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys.

2013: BC TonyBet won LKF Cup

In the 2013–14 season, sponsored by Antanas Guoga and renamed BC TonyBet, the team won the LKF Cup, defeating Lietuvos rytas Vilnius in the finals after upsetting Žalgiris Kaunas in the semifinal.

2014: Started rebuilding phase

The 2014–15 season marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase for BC Prienai, with the team losing its main sponsor, coach, and much of the previous season's roster.

July 2015: Sponsorship Deal and Name Change Announced

In July 2015, BC Prienai announced a sponsorship deal with Birštonas mineral water company and that they would be changing their name to BC Birštono Vytautas for sponsorship reasons, later corrected to BC Vytautas to share with the neighboring city of Birštonas.

September 2015: New Logo and Color Change

In September 2015, Prienai announced their new logo and color change to blue and white as part of the sponsorship deal.

December 2015: Edvinas Šeškus Cleared to Play

On 30 December 2015, Prienai native Edvinas Šeškus was cleared to play for Vytautas, joining his father the head coach and his older brother Domantas.

2015: Mažeikiai Relegation

In 2015, Mažeikiai was relegated from LKL. Since then no team had been relegated until Prienai in 2022.

February 2016: Tauras Jogėla Signed

On 26 February 2016, Vytautas signed Tauras Jogėla due to injuries ruining the rotation.

2016: Tomas Delininkaitis Signed

Before the 2016–17 season, the team signed longtime Lithuanian national team player Tomas Delininkaitis.

December 2017: Vytautas signed LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball

In December 2017, BC Vytautas, in a highly publicized move, signed American basketball players and brothers LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball.

December 2017: Signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball

On 11 December 2017, BC Vytautas signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball with the help of Erikas Kirvelaitis.

January 2018: Big Baller Brand Sponsorship

In January 2018, Big Baller Brand was named an official team sponsor after Vytautas signed LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball. Big Baller Brand also sponsored two exhibition competitions Vytautas took part in early 2018: the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games and the Big Baller Brand International Tournament.

January 2018: BBB Challenge Games & Sponsorship

In January 2018, Vytautas pulled out of the Baltic Basketball League and hosted the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games. On 23 January 2018, the Big Baller Brand was announced as an official sponsor and LaVar Ball was temporarily appointed as assistant coach.

January 2018: Ball Brothers to Join

In early January 2018, BC Vytautas announced that LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball would be joining the team.

August 2018: Ball Family's Impact

In August 2018, a press statement revealed that the Ball family "started destroying the club" through financial mismanagement during their time with the team.

2019: Coach Šeškus departure and new signings

In 2019, coach Šeškus announced his departure after losing to BC Neptūnas. Mantas Šernius was appointed as the new head coach. Arnas Velička was loaned by BC Žalgiris. Former players Gediminas Maceina, Vaidas Čepukaitis, and Regimantas Miniotas returned. CBet signed Martynas Varnas, Lukas Uleckas, and Karolis Guščikas.

2020: CBet's performance in LKL and King Mindaugas Cup

In 2020, CBet competed in the King Mindaugas Cup, eliminating BC Šilutė but losing to BC Šiauliai. They finished the LKL season in 6th place after it was ended early due to the coronavirus outbreak. Laurynas Birutis, on loan from Žalgiris, was named LKL MVP for February 2020.

2020: CBet's Roster Changes and Performance

In 2020, CBet experienced significant roster turnover with players leaving due to better contract offers or financial difficulties. Despite this, the team finished the season in 5th place.

2021: Coach Šernius Named LKL Coach of the Year

In 2021, Coach Šernius was named the LKL Coach of the Year. CBet lost their LKL playoffs series against BC Juventus 0-2.

2022: Labas GAS Finishes Last in LKL Season

In the 2022 LKL season, Labas GAS finished last with a 4-29 record. Coach Gaidamavičius resigned and was replaced by Marius Kiltinavičius. Despite some memorable wins, Prienai was relegated from the LKL.