Rytas Vilnius reached an agreement with one of the most talented basketball players of his generation – 18-year-old, 199 cm tall guard Ignas Urbonas remains in the capital. A new two-year contract has been signed with the young talent, which includes a clause – until September 1 of this year, the basketball player has the right to leave to play in the NCAA.
During the past 2025–2026 season, Urbonas spent his time representing both the main Rytas Vilnius team and the youth squad in the National Basketball League (URBO-NKL).
With Rytas-2, the basketball player played 34 games and was one of the main architects of the team’s victories. In an average of 29 minutes on the court, he scored 14.8 points, grabbed 6.8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, made 1.3 steals, and recorded an average efficiency of 20 points. Such successful play brought the Utena native the official NKL “Young Talent” of the season award.
“We are glad that Ignas is staying with the team. We believe he can bring quality and energy to Rytas, and this season we see him as a solid player on the main team. Ignas has a very strong character, is ambitious, and is not afraid to compete, so we believe he can be an equal member of the team alongside other players. From here, a lot will depend on Ignas himself – his work, attitude, and desire to improve. It is always important for us that young players raised in our system join the main team, so we are glad to give Ignas this opportunity and we believe in his potential,” said Rytas sports director A. Jomantas.
Last season, Urbonas knocked on the door of the main team with increasing confidence. In the Lithuanian Basketball League, sponsored by Betsson, the basketball player was registered for 13 games, in which he spent an average of 13 minutes on the court, scored 4.3 points, grabbed 2.3 rebounds, and dished out 1.6 assists.
The young talent also got his chance in the FIBA Champions League last season, where in a game against Galatasaray Istanbul, he managed to dish out 4 assists in just 4 minutes of play.
On the international stage, the basketball player has already achieved significant victories with youth teams. Representing Rytas, he became the winner and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the FIBA Youth Champions League for two consecutive years (in 2024 and 2025).
“I arrived in the Rytas youth system from Utena when I was just 14 years old. I played in the Rytas-MRU team for a year, and through hard work and discipline, I climbed my way up until I started playing for the reserve team. I fell in love with this club, the city, and the people. Later, I started getting opportunities on the main team, which, as a young basketball player, already meant an incredible amount to me back then. However, now receiving an offer with a real role from one of the strongest teams in Lithuania is an exceptional recognition. I am grateful to the entire Rytas system, which helped me mature into a player of this level. We are not stopping our work – nothing is finished yet, everything is just beginning. I am really looking forward to packed arenas and the fans hungry for battles and victories, because everyone bows before Rytas!” said I. Urbonas.