Five weeks ago, during the qualification window that ended, in which Lithuanians defeated the British but suffered a painful collapse in Italy, G. Radzevičius played alongside Ąžuolas Tubelis, Marekas Blaževičius, and Matas Jogėla. Augustas Marčiulionis was also on the national team roster at that time, but the coaches did not register him for any of the games.
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In the significantly changed national team, G. Radzevičius could become one of the key figures, although even in the last four games played in the World Championship qualifiers, the forward played up to 27 minutes – only 0.3 minutes longer than Ą. Tubelis.
“I managed to both rest and spend some time traveling a bit with my family, as well as train. We probably had about five weeks since the last window, so everything was very productive – both with rest and sports. Everything is good,” the Vilnius native briefly commented on his condition.
Notable names did not arrive at the national team camp, which started on Monday in Birštonas: Jonas Valančiūnas, Matas Buzelis, Kasparas Jakučionis, Ignas Brazdeikis, Ignas Sargiūnas, Margiris Normantas, Arnas Butkevičius, and also Domantas Sabonis, Rokas Jokubaitis, Tadas Sedekerskis, who are still feeling the effects of injuries.
It is estimated that almost 20 players who could be full members of the team said “no” to the national team in total.
Did G. Radzevičius consider doing the same?
“No, I did not consider it. My health is fine, and I immediately said that if I go to the first window, I will go to the second as well. I am not wavering, my health is good, so I am here,” said the forward.
How did he react to the fact that such a large group of basketball players refused to come to the national team?
“I don’t know… I don’t want to speak for others. It’s a personal matter for everyone, I don’t know the nuances,” G. Radzevičius dodged the answer. “It’s better to talk about those who came. We came, so we will work and do our job, and those who can’t, I don’t know, don’t ask me.”
More than a month has passed since the last window and the painful defeat in Bologna; has G. Radzevičius managed to sort out his thoughts about what went wrong in the last window?
“I don’t even know – maybe the result, that we lost to the Italians. That is the worst. And there can be many reasons. The fact is that if we had won, everything would be fine. We lost, so there are reasons. The coaches analyzed those games, what was wrong. Basketball is like that – when you win, everything is good, when you lose, everything is bad,” said the Vilnius native.
After the wave of refusals, Rimas Kurtinaitis had to pull less frequently used names from the sleeve, and some are already calling this team the “C team.” What does one of its most experienced members think about it?
“We’ll see. There’s nothing impressive, but it’s not the names that play,” emphasized G. Radzevičius. “We know our situation, which is not easy, we know the opponents waiting, and we have three weeks during which we have to train well, prepare, and hope for the best.”
The World Championship is definitely not closed yet, anything can happen.
So why should the public and fans believe in this national team, which is in a difficult position in the fight for the World Championship – needing at least four, and most likely five wins in the remaining six games?
“I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t believe. The World Championship is definitely not closed yet, anything can happen. Especially if we look at other windows – realistically, it could have been 6-0, it could have been even worse, 2-4. You have to go into every game, be prepared, give your all, and see what happens. I think everyone gathered here will give their all and see what happens.”
Why did he return to “Rytas”?
If in the last window G. Radzevičius still played as a free agent, this time he arrived at the national team camp already under contract – he signed a three-year contract with Vilnius “Rytas.”
“It was decided because Vilnius is my home, and they wanted me to be there. I really appreciate that. The conditions are good, I think all parties are satisfied with my return. We are really happy,” Radzo said about returning to his hometown.
He had briefly left “Rytas” for Vitoria’s “Baskonia,” with whom he debuted in the EuroLeague. Did he still try to hold on to the dream of staying in the EuroLeague before signing with “Rytas”?
“You know, dream or not a dream, but if I were younger, about 20 years old, I might make different decisions. Now I fully understand that my career is going into its second half, so I want all things – for myself to be well, a satisfying role, and other things. You look, weigh things, and choose,” explained the forward, who turned 31 in July.
Does such a long contract with “Rytas” mean he is closing the EuroLeague chapter?
“I don’t even know – the future will show. I don’t say no or yes. Sports is such a thing, so we’ll see,” the Vilnius native did not commit.
Last time he left “Rytas” by using an exit option provided in the contract. Does his current contract have such a clause?
“I don’t know if I can disclose that. Let’s leave it at that. My contract is long-term, practically guaranteed, but I can’t disclose it,” the forward who played for “Rytas” from summer 2020 to December 2025 was secretive.
Leaving “Rytas,” he handed over the captain’s armband to Artūras Gudaitis. How will these men resolve the captaincy issue when G. Radzevičius returned to the team just over half a year later?
“Oh, I don’t know yet, I haven’t thought about it. Especially since it’s not us who decide, but the management, the coaches. I think if anything, we’ll share,” said the player who was “Rytas” captain for half a year after Margiris Normantas left.
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