Tautvydas Sabonis has been confirmed as the new Head Coach of BC London Lions.
The 33-year-old, joining the capital’s professional basketball team, is widely regarded as having huge coaching potential, joining the Lions from successful Lithuanian basketball giants Žalgiris Kaunas, where he was Assistant Coach.
After retiring from playing professional basketball in 2019, spending much of his playing career in Spain, Sabonis began coaching in the Žalgiris youth coaching set-up, climbing the ranks over a five-year period as the club recognised his coaching potential. He is regarded highly for his player development skills and attention to detail.
He will be bringing a strong legacy of basketball greatness with him to London, as the son of sporting icon Arvydas Sabonis and brother of current NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis.
However, Tautvydas has carved out his own path in basketball, transitioning seamlessly from his playing days to a successful coaching career. He has served as the lead assistant to four different EuroLeague head coaches, gaining invaluable insight and experience at the highest level of European basketball. With this impressive background, he brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and pedigree to the London club.
Being announced as the new London Lions head coach, Sabonis is tipped to spearhead an exciting period for the club. Following the recent announcement of investment in a new stadium, the side’s imminent return to European action in next season’s EuroCup, the Lions are gearing up to put London on the basketball map.
Martynas Purlys, General Manager at London Lions, said: “Tautvydas is such an exciting person to lead the team into the next step of our project at London Lions, and we’re delighted to have him in London.
“We’ve already seen glimpses of his coaching potential, and we’re not alone. Tautvydas has made people stand up and take note already in his post-playing career, leading many to rate him as a hot prospect in the coaching world, and he’s about to be given the keys to an ambitious project. His deep understanding of the game, commitment to developing talent, and proven leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to guide our team in the British Basketball League and in European competitions.”
New London Lions Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis, explained: “The London Lions is a club that is really excites me, and I am honoured to have the chance to take on my first head coach challenge with the team. I believe in building a strong team culture, focusing on player development, and competing at the highest level. I was really impressed with the vision of the club, when meeting Lenz [Balan, CEO] and Martynas [Purlys, GM] and can see that this is a team with huge ambition to not only rebuild, but go even further than any British club has with its success.”
