After the NCAA stage, the guard received a call from Mantas Šernius to join the Prienai basketball team, where he showed solid numbers.
Then the Kaunas native joined one of the German basketball league teams. The speaker does not hide that it was an interesting experience but admits that the season was not successful – the team was relegated to the country’s second-tier league.
However, that summer the basketball player moved to Klaipėda’s „Neptūnas“, where he proved that he was worthy of moving to an even higher level – Vilnius „Rytas“.
The first season was not easy, but the player did not give up and continued to show his strong character on the court. Such efforts definitely paid off – I. Sargiūnas averaged 12.9 points and played his most productive career season.
„LKL akademija powered by Citadele“ presents a conversation with the „Rytas“ representative about winning the Champions League trophy, the decision to move to play in the highest German basketball league, and the fulfilled dream of wearing the Lithuanian national team jersey.
– In the game against Tenerife’s „La Laguna“ team, the opposing coach pointed his finger to his lips indicating you should be quiet. What did you say to him and do you feel extra motivation when you manage to provoke the opponent’s reaction?
– Actually, I didn’t provoke the coach. He was very disappointed because the first whistle was in the second half. I told him: is it really the first? He didn’t like that I said something. Of course, maybe I shouldn’t say such things, but there are heated moments when you want to react and say something. But there was nothing malicious or personal.
– After the victory in the final, you said that „Rytas“ is more than a team. What does this phrase „more than a team“ personally mean to you?
– When we talk about „Rytas“, it’s not just about the players and coaches, but the whole community and everything surrounding this culture. About what faith, support, and character are. Both those who work on the court and those who are in the stands, travel to every game, support and believe. It is more than a team. That character and values you stand for both as a player and a fan. Many things come together into one, which is more than a team.
– From the gold won, let’s move to your NCAA stage, where you were even forced to sit out one season due to the „redshirt“ rule. Could you share how that period toughened you, as I believe it was not easy both mentally and physically?
– It was the first year when I theoretically played, but it was very minimal playing time. One year without playing and then another year where I couldn’t play either theoretically or officially. It was mostly individual training and more work separately. I didn’t travel with the team, so my rhythm was different. It toughens you and at the same time grows that hunger and desire when you haven’t played for two years. Of course, doubts arise, but I knew about that rule when I chose to change the university. There was no shock, just had to adapt to those years and work more in training.
– Speaking about NCAA, in one interview you mentioned that you returned to Lithuania with much longer curls because you didn’t like how they cut your hair in America. What did they do to your hairstyle that made you decide not to visit barbershops in the USA?
– They cut it stereotypically (laughs). My brother went there, and it was exactly the same. He had longer hair but recently found a good barber. My brother was in the same boat. That’s just how it is there.
– After the NCAA stage, you received a call from Mantas Šernius, who invited you to the Prienai team. How did you react to this offer and what role did the coach promise you?
– I can’t even say the role. I was just happy to get a chance and join a professional team. That pleased and surprised me because I returned mid-year after two and a half years spent in America. I came into the unknown and saw how it would be. It means a lot that I managed to join the team mid-season and I’m very happy for this chance.
– In 2022, according to league players, you were recognized as the most overrated player, and already in 2024 – the breakthrough of the year. In your opinion, do such evaluations reflect reality, or should they be ignored?
– You choose whether to pay attention to it or not. As I say, those evaluations and awards are symbolic and a side matter, deviating from the main goal. Just like MVP ceremonies or coach of the year awards, which were in the Champions League. For example, our coach didn’t win and Jerrick Harding was not among the three MVP nominees. In the end, it’s a very subjective thing, everyone has their own opinion and right to an opinion, and how you accept it is your own business.
– After two seasons spent in Prienai, you moved to play in the highest German league. Why did you decide to start your career as a legionnaire? Was there no interest from other LKL, supported by „Betsson“, clubs, or did you simply want to try your strength in a different style league?
– Actually, I wanted to try that other basketball, country, league, and style. It was really an interesting experience. Of course, we had a not very good season because we were relegated to the second league with that team. But when you look at it, it was still an interesting experience and it was fun to get a feel for that league. I met Kay Bruhnke there, we played together. It was definitely a fun team, just we didn’t play very well.
– Then in the summer of 2023, you signed a contract with Klaipėda’s „Neptūnas“. From this season, what stuck with me the most was your second Citadele KMT game against Panevėžys’ „Lietkabelis“, when you missed the decisive shot, but the smile never left your face and you even showed everyone that victory was very close. Can you tell us mortals how you maintain such calm and enjoyment of basketball even in crucial moments?
– The first thing that came to mind was that it’s part of sports. Where it seems that you will make that shot 99% of the time and you miss it at the crucial moment. Such a situation happens because it is still sports. Sometimes it happens. If you keep beating yourself up, it will be even worse and you will drown in those bad emotions. Yes, that episode was painful. That series against „Lietkabelis“ was interesting, that year we fought well against them. There were three games in a row where everything ended with a one-shot difference and in all of them, I shot from under the basket. I made two and won, but the third, important one, I missed. Sometimes it happens and that’s sports.
– You finished the season in Klaipėda averaging 12.9 points per game, and already in the summer you moved to play for Vilnius „Rytas“, where the points average dropped almost by half. How did you cope with the fact that last season you were one of the team leaders, and now you might have to come off the bench more often and play fewer minutes?
– When I came to „Rytas“, I knew where I was coming and what I was getting into. I knew what kind of club I was joining and among what players I was. Still, ambitions were high and the budget bigger. It was not a disappointment or surprise for me. There were team veterans Margiris Normantas and Gytis Radzevičius and experienced legionnaires. There were also many good players in our position among Lithuanians. I just had to give what was asked and needed by the team at that time. That was the goal – to work and contribute as much as possible to the team results.
– In the summer of 2025, you wore the main Lithuanian men’s basketball national team jersey for the first time, although you were not even on the candidate list. What, in your eyes, determined that Rimas Kurtinaitis still found a place for you in the rotation?
– First of all, I would say the state of the roster and the length of that list. Players of my position had dropped out. I wasn’t even on that list, but since that situation happened, I got a call. There was no news that I could be in the national team and I had already planned my summer. During the camp, looking at the situation, it appeared that there might even be a chance to get in. At first, I went with the mood to gain experience from the best Lithuanian players and play with them. I wanted to get to know the new coaching staff and play according to their systems and style. I managed to break into the twelve, it was an incredible experience and one of the fulfilled dreams.
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– As I understand, you had to sacrifice a trip?
– Kendrick Lamar’s concert (laughs). I had to let my friends go and listen to their impressions.
– Does the time in the locker room, communication with national team teammates, and similar things differ a lot from the club season?
– Yes, what players usually remember and notice when they arrive is that it’s just fun to communicate and joke in Lithuanian. You realize that it can be like that because usually, you mix languages in the locker room when you are in club basketball, but when you come in the summer, you joke and communicate in Lithuanian. So I think that’s the main nuance.
– Let’s return to this season, in which your three-point shooting accuracy is 45%, and you made more long-range shots than in the previous season. In your opinion, is such improvement more a result of confidence, work, or experience?
– I would say there is a lot of confidence in this indicator and, in general, maybe even in all basketball indicators. If you play with confidence and believe in your abilities, it helps a lot. You shoot those shots but don’t change anything drastically. I would say confidence and maybe the experience of where and when to take those shots also help. That’s how better shots and percentages come together.
– Are you one of those players who get an extra boost from the first made shot?
– I think there is no player who wouldn’t feel a boost after the first made shot and shoot the second much more freely. I think it’s like that for everyone. After missing shots, I try not to take it to heart and keep shooting because, in the end, if you took a good shot and missed, nothing bad happened, it was just a missed shot.
– Speaking about three-pointers, on March 22 this year, you broke the all-time „Rytas“ scoring record by scoring 43 points. A few seconds before the end of the game, you already had 40 points and 8 out of 8 made three-pointers, but you still took the record-breaking shot. Was that shot more encouraged by teammates, or was it a spontaneous reaction when you realized the points could match your jersey number?
– When I had 40 points, I already knew and thought, why not try to score 43. Of course, when all shots go in, the team automatically wants you to keep shooting. Then you think that if all 9 went in, maybe you didn’t shoot enough. You still have to shoot until you miss when it goes like that. There were 37 points on the board, I didn’t really emphasize it, but someone said to try to score 40. Somehow that three-pointer went in, but it didn’t cause a big feeling. It doesn’t matter if it’s 37 or 40 because, in the end, it doesn’t mean much. But 43 was symbolic, I really wanted to score it and there was one attack left. I’m glad I managed to fulfill it.
– You have mentioned that you like to think about your decisions on the court before the game and how you could exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. Before the 43-point game, could you imagine that it would be your career game?
– No, not at all. I say some things just can’t be planned. You can’t come and think that against this team or defensive system you will play the best game in history. It doesn’t happen and it’s impossible to predict. Usually, you think before the game from a defensive perspective, how you will defend a player and what he likes more, you try to imagine yourself in that position to prepare your brain and the body can follow. But you can’t plan that.
– Now let’s move to your life off the basketball court so viewers can get to know you not only as a „Rytas“ player but also as Ignas Sargiūnas. On the basketball court, many would describe you as a cheeky player. Are you like that in real life?
– No, usually I am calmer and more modest. As I have said before, basketball is an outlet and release of emotions for me. For some, it’s a creative outlet, for me, it’s sports and competition on the court. Sometimes there is something cheekier and similar, but it’s nothing personal. In life, there is nothing like that. On the court, the desire to win and competitiveness turn on. It’s a means of release.
– How do you spend your free time? I know you like other sports activities and sometimes go out to the city to read a book or have a good cup of coffee.
– Usually during the season, especially when it’s cooler, I like to go to a café to read a book, have some coffee, be among people, change the environment, and try new coffee places. That usually happens in the cold season. In the warm season, I like disc golf, and in summer – cycling. My brother and I are also interested in the „Tour de France“. I am open to all kinds of activities, especially active ones. I don’t limit myself to just basketball. I try to stay away from basketball because there is already plenty of it, you play and watch it every day. Sometimes that detachment is beneficial.
– A few months ago, I was very surprised because I saw you and Artūras Gudaitis on the show „Auksinis protas“. Do you like such shows, puzzles, and quizzes?
– Actually, these shows are the only ones I watch on TV. They are the most interesting to me. When schedules match, on Mondays, my friends and I participate in quizzes in Vilnius. Greetings to the „Dinamika“ team (laughs). I really like those activities when you gather with friends and try to solve or answer something and communicate.
– What is the highest place you have taken in a quiz?
– We have won, but it’s a serious league, and we are such young rookies playing against serious uncles and smart women. There is work to do, but sometimes we get lucky.
– The Champions League trophy or first place in a quiz – which is more impressive?
– Well, it’s similar, you could say (laughs).
– A basketball career is not typical because it usually lasts only about 15 years but can be much shorter. We often hear news that former basketball players lose their earned money and have to rebuild their lives after their career ends. How do you take care to maintain financial stability after finishing your career? Do you perhaps engage in investing?
– An interesting fact about the NBA is that I have heard and read that quite a large percentage of players go bankrupt. A very interesting and strange fact. Knowing that the career is short, if you manage to save some money, I think it’s good to invest that money. I recently started to be interested in this and I think I will do it with a more long-term perspective so that after the career it helps to continue life and contributes to financial freedom.
– Let’s also talk about the contest that captivated many viewers in front of their TV screens – Eurovision. Are you a Eurovision fan and which songs from this year impressed you the most?
– Maybe I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but I usually follow it. We gather with friends and if possible, we have a tradition to meet, evaluate, and vote. This year I watched both semifinals and I liked Poland and Serbia because they were something a bit different and more serious. I liked Albania from the second semifinal and Lithuania. And Australia was powerful. What I usually say, those who are expected to win never win and don’t perform well. I like different and stronger performances. I think Lithuanians really like Eurovision because sometimes when you talk to other Europeans, they don’t even know about these things.
– The last question I want to ask is about something that stuck with me from one of your interviews. You were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up as a child, but at that time you had no answer. Did you ask your parents? Do you think that child would be happy seeing what you have become?
– He would be happy. I don’t remember the exact trajectory and dreams. I talked to my parents about what I was like and try to understand if everything is going similarly. I managed to gather people and communicate with them. Especially enjoy those activities with friends. Everything is happening like that and those things are not forgotten. The child would definitely be happy looking at me now.
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