History of BC Prienai in Timeline

BC Prienai is a Lithuanian professional basketball club based in Prienai. They competed in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) since their promotion in 2009, previously winning the NKL championship. The team achieved two bronze medals in the LKL and participated in the EuroCup during the 2011-12 season. BC Prienai became known for occasionally upsetting stronger domestic teams. In 2017, the team gained international attention by signing American basketball players LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball.

1994: Club founded as KK Prienų Taupomasis Bankas

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

2005: Joined the NKL

In 2005, KK Prienų Taupomasis Bankas joined the NKL ever since its foundation.

2008: Became NKL champions

During the 2008 season, the club became NKL champions downing Meresta Pakruojis in Game 7 of the finals.

2008: Rūdupis became the champion of the NKL

In 2008, Rūdupis became the champion of the NKL and won the challenge match for a slot in the LKL.

2009: Promotion to the LKL

In 2009 BC Prienai (then called Rūdupis) won the promotion in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and in their debut LKL season Rūdupis took seventh place.

2010: Won the LKF Cup Bronze medals

During the 2010 season, BC Rūdupis won the LKF Cup Bronze medals, losing a thriller against Žalgiris Kaunas 73–75.

March 2011: BC Rūdupis defeated Lietuvos rytas Vilnius

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

April 2011: BC Rūdupis signed Rolandas Alijevas

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

2011: BC Prienai played in EuroCup

In 2011 BC Prienai played in EuroCup with moderate success; the team won 3 games out of 6, but nonetheless failed to qualify for the next stage.

2011: Repeated as bronze medal winners

In the 2011 season, the team repeated as bronze medal winners, this time defeating Šiauliai 3–1.

2012: Reached BBL finals and won LKF Cup

In the 2012 season, BC Prienai reached the BBL finals, and won the LKF Cup against Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys.

2013: Won the LKF Cup

In the 2013 season, the team once again won the LKF Cup when they pulled off a double upset, defeating Lietuvos rytas Vilnius in the finals after upsetting Žalgiris Kaunas in the semifinal.

2014: Started rebuilding phase

The 2014 season was the start of a rebuilding phase for the team, having lost their main sponsor, longtime coach and much of the previous season's roster, the team played poorly.

July 2015: Announced sponsorship deal with Birštonas

In July 2015, BC Prienai announced a sponsorship deal with Birštonas mineral water company, changing their name to BC Birštono Vytautas.

September 2015: Announced new logo and color change

On 16 September 2015, BC Prienai announced their new logo and color change to blue and white as part of the sponsorship deal.

December 2015: Edvinas Šeškus joined Vytautas

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 2022, Prienai faced relegation, becoming the first team since Mažeikiai in 2015 to be relegated from LKL.

February 2016: Vytautas signed Tauras Jogėla

On 26 February 2016, Vytautas signed Tauras Jogėla because of injuries ruining the rotation.

2016: Won the BBL championship

In 2016, Vytautas won their first BBL championship, defeating Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys in the finals 174–162 on aggregate.

December 2017: Vytautas signed LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball

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

December 2017: Signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball

On 11 December 2017, Vytautas signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball, who reportedly agreed to join the team in the beginning of January 2018.

January 2018: Big Baller Brand Becomes Official Team Sponsor

In January 2018, Big Baller Brand, the sports apparel company owned by the father of LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball, became an official team sponsor. Vytautas also took part in Big Baller Brand Challenge Games in January 2018 and the Big Baller Brand International Tournament in February 2018.

January 2018: LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball agreed to join the team

In January 2018, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball agreed to join the team Vytautas

January 2018: Pulled out of Baltic Basketball League season

In early January 2018, Vytautas pulled out of the Baltic Basketball League season, instead hosting the newly formed Big Baller Brand Challenge Games.

August 2018: Ball family "started destroying the club"

A press statement from the team in August 2018 revealed that during their time with the club, the Ball family "started destroying the club" through means like not paying the prize money for the Big Baller Brand's tournament winners, withdrawing financial support, and taking back shooting machines that were presented to the team as gifts.

2019: Coach Šeškus Announces Departure

In 2019, after a loss to BC Neptūnas in May, coach Šeškus announced he would not return for the 2019–2020 season. Mantas Šernius was later named the new head coach.

2020: CBet Finishes LKL Season in 6th Place

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 LKL season ended early, with CBet finishing in 6th place, an improvement from the previous season. In February 2020, Laurynas Birutis was named MVP in the LKL and received an invite for the Lithuanian national basketball team.

2020: CBet Loses Roster and Finishes Season in 5th Place

In 2020, CBet lost many players from the previous season's roster. Miniotas, the team leader, left for better contract offers, and despite financial difficulties, CBet 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 to BC Juventus in the LKL playoffs, with a final score of 0-2.

2022: Labas GAS Finishes Last in LKL Season

In the 2022-23 LKL season, Labas GAS finished last with a 4-29 record. Coach Gaidamavičius resigned and was replaced by Marius Kiltinavičius. The team managed to grab memorable wins, such as the win against Lietkabelis in Kalnapilio arena, which was also their first victory after starting the season 0-16.