Laurynas Birutis

Laurynas Birutis (born 27 August 1997) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Žalgiris Kaunas of Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague.

Professional career

BC Žalgiris-2 and debut in the LKL (2014–2017)

Birutis began his professional career when he signed with BC Žalgiris-2 in the summer of 2014. On 5 January 2016, he set a National Basketball League record with 23 rebounds in a game against BC Petrochema. Later that season, he won silver medals with Žalgiris-2 after losing the final game against BC Sūduva.

On 14 April 2017, after dominating the second-tier National Basketball League by averaging 17.4 points, nine rebounds, 1.4 assists and two blocks per game, Birutis was invited to join Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas in the top-tier Lithuanian Basketball League. Birutis made a strong debut on 15 April 2017, scoring 17 points and grabbing four rebounds, but his team lost 92–89 after Justas Tamulis buzzer-beater. Two days later, he recorded his first LKL win 96-89 against Neptūnas Klaipėda and was the second-best Vytautas' scorer with 19 points and six rebounds.

BC Šiauliai (2017–2018)

On 1 August 2017, Birutis was loaned his hometown club BC Šiauliai. During the 2018 Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė quarterfinals against the Lithuanian champions Žalgiris Kaunas, Birutis played the best game of his career by scoring 35 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists and blocking one shot, although his team lost 85–78. On 18 April 2018, Birutis entered his name into the 2018 NBA draft. During his second LKL season, he led the league in all three major statistical categories of his position, with 14.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. For his performances throughout the campaign, Birutis received the LKL Most Valuable Player Award. Furthermore, with his help, BC Šiauliai recovered from the league's worst record last season (6–30) and became a solid playoff participant by finishing fifth in the regular season (16–20). At the season closing ceremony he was also named the LKL Best Young Player. It was also announced that Birutis would return to Žalgiris for the 2018–19 season.

Žalgiris Kaunas (2018–2019)

Birutis joined Lithuanian champions Žalgiris Kaunas and made his EuroLeague debut on 12 October 2018 against Saski Baskonia. He scored seven points in 10 minutes. Birutis struggled with injury since the start of the season and was unable to train due to pain, which led to surgery on 14 February 2019. On 1 June, he won his first LKL championship.

CBet Prienai (2019–2020)

For the 2019–20 season, Birutis was loaned to CBet Prienai. On November 23, he made his return to the court, scoring nine points and four rebounds in 16 minutes, including the game-winning shot, in a thrilling 81–79 win over BC Pieno žvaigždės. He was later named LKL Player of the Month for February. He had his best game on 1 February 2020 against BC Neptūnas, in which he scored 25 points and collected 36 efficiency points. He finished the 2019–20 LKL season as the league leader in efficiency, averaging 20.4 PIR per game. Additionally, he ranked second in the league in both scoring and rebounding with 15.2 points and seven rebounds per game.

Monbus Obradoiro (2020–2022)

On July 24, 2020, Birutis signed a two-year contract with Monbus Obradoiro of the Spanish Liga ACB. On 28 September 2020, Birutis was named Liga ACB MVP of September after averaging 19.3 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block per game.

Žalgiris Kaunas (2022–present)

On 10 June 2022, Birutis returned to Žalgiris Kaunas, signing a two-year deal. He was named to the All-LKL Team for two consecutive seasons, in 2023 and 2024. On 9 April 2024, Birutis signed a contract extension through 2026.

National team career

Laurynas Birutis debuted for the Lithuania men's u-16 basketball team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Ukraine. He won bronze medals with Lithuania men's u-18 basketball team at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. Birutis, along with his teammates and generational peers Tadas Sedekerskis and Martynas Varnas, was invited to play at the FIBA's Youth All-Star Game during EuroBasket 2015. On 26 February 2018, Birutis made his debut with the Lithuania men's national basketball team by scoring 8 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, helping to beat the Kosovo national basketball team 106–50 during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification.

He had his second opportunity with the senior Lithuanian national team in a EuroBasket 2022 qualification game against the Czech Republic. He scored 17 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes, leading the team in +/- value (+20) in 97–89 comeback victory.

Personal life

Laurynas is the son of former long-time BC Å iauliai player Sigitas Birutis.

Career statistics

EuroLeague

, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2018–19
, style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3", Žalgiris
, 17 , , 0 , , 6.9 , , .586 , , , , .706 , , .9 , , .1 , , .1 , , .3 , , 2.7 , , 2.5
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2022–23
, 37 , , 1 , , 13.1 , , .635 , , , , .736 , , 3.1 , , .4 , , .2 , , .3 , , 5.4 , , 7.1
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2023–24
, 34 , , 19 , , 15.1 , , .645 , , , , .618 , , 3.7 , , .6 , , .2 , , .4 , , 7.5 , , 8.9
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan=2, Career
, 88 , , 20 , , 12.7 , , .636 , , , , .680 , , 2.9 , , .4 , , .2 , , .4 , , 5.7 , , 6.8

References

External links

Liga ACB profile

EuroLeague profile

RealGM profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birutis, Laurynas
1997 births
Living people
BC Prienai players
BC Å iauliai players
BC Žalgiris players
Centers (basketball)
Liga ACB players
Lithuanian expatriate basketball people in Spain
Lithuanian men's basketball players
21st-century Lithuanian sportsmen
Obradoiro CAB players