This holiday season, Rytas Vilnius fans are invited to enjoy exclusive content. ME2U presents the latest episode of the “1-ON-1” series, featuring one of the most prominent faces of Rytas Vilnius and the current team captain – Artūras Gudaitis.
In an in-depth conversation with Paulius Ambrazevičius, the basketball star not only recalls the beginning of his career but also speaks openly for the first time about the most painful turning points and the behind-the-scenes stories that usually remain off the court. From childhood dreams on the Auksinis protas quiz show to armored car-escorted trips to derbies in Greece – Gudaitis reveals a side that will make every fan see him in a different light.
The conversation begins with an unusual topic – the player’s love for intellectual games and his recent debut on the Auksinis protas. When asked about his childhood and the start of his basketball journey, Artūras admitted that he grew up in a completely different sporting environment, and his choice to play basketball was heavily influenced by the “Golden Age” of Rytas Vilnius.
“Back then, basketball players seemed like something unreachable, almost like gods I constantly wanted to emulate. I remember the best times of Rytas with Arvydas Macijauskas leading the way – he was my biggest inspiration and my motivation to play. I wanted to be like them; I wanted to be part of that atmosphere. I believe the basketball boom in Lithuania and the national team’s golden years ultimately defined my life path. Now that I’m here, I feel a responsibility to ensure that today’s children see the same kind of role model in our team that I saw in my youth,” Gudaitis said about his roots and emotional connection to the club.
Later in the episode, the discussion moves to one of the most dramatic stages of his career – his time in Italy, where Artūras was playing the best basketball of his life. However, behind the brilliant stats lay a story that could have changed Lithuanian basketball history forever.
“I literally had an NBA contract on the table – everything was settled. After dinner with the Sacramento Kings’ general manager, I was told directly that they would sign me to a guaranteed contract after the season. All I had to do was stay healthy, but just two weeks later, I tore my ACL. It was a complete shock, a feeling like the ground was slipping from under my feet. Although I eventually returned and played well, I know my ceiling was a bit higher, but I accept it as a lesson I had to learn,” the player revealed.
Following challenging stints in Italy and Russia, Artūras experienced the Greek basketball culture, which he described as a completely different world. When the host, Paulius, asked about the behind-the-scenes reality of the derbies against Olympiacos, the player shared details that might seem unbelievable to fans.
“It’s a different level, a kind of madness you won’t see anywhere else. You go to the games escorted by three armored vehicles and a squad of armed officers because fans follow your every step. Entering the arena through glass doors, you see fans throwing a barrage of rocks from above, glass shattering all around you, while security tries to cover you. On the court, you’re running while smelling not just tobacco smoke but other substances, as owners smoke right by the sidelines. In Greece, the team is everything to the fans; the ‘sauna’ there is much hotter than here in Lithuania, even though we also know how to create an incredible atmosphere,” Gudaitis shared.
Finally, the conversation turned to the most relevant topics of today – his decision to stay in Vilnius and the recently received and rejected offer from the Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki. Although rumors in the basketball world suggested Artūras was already packing his bags, the player explained why, this time, money and the sunny Greek coast lost out to the love of Rytas Vilnius fans. He emphasized that he has found a level of peace and professionalism in the club that he had long been searching for.
“When an offer like that comes along, you always start to consider it – maybe it’s warmer there, more sun, double the money. But I realized one thing: you can never sell or give away the feeling you have here in Vilnius. I’ve rediscovered a true love for basketball at Rytas. Our fans… they are something incredible. Their support, even after losses, their passion to travel thousands of kilometers – that is the main engine. I made the decision to stay with a completely calm heart and mind because I love being a part of this community,” the captain said about his loyalty to Vilnius.
Concluding the talk, Artūras touched upon his new responsibilities – becoming the team captain after the departure of long-time leader Gytis Radzevičius.
“For me, the captaincy is a natural continuation of what I’ve been doing until now. Whether I have those ‘stripes’ or not, I will always say what I think and help the team whenever I see I can. It’s just a letter in the protocol, but my internal mindset remains the same – to be vocal, disciplined, and strive for the common goal. We lost Gytis, who was irreplaceable in certain aspects, but we move forward. My goal is to help the team achieve victories and maintain the wonderful bond we currently have with the fans,” Gudaitis concluded.
The full “1ON1” episode with Artūras Gudaitis, featuring even more untold stories, his thoughts on life in Japan, and fun behind-the-scenes moments, can be viewed here (Lithuanian video):