The capital city team continues to build its roster for the upcoming 2025–2026 season. Forward Jacob Wiley, who has accumulated playing experience in various teams around the world, joins Rytas Vilnius. Most recently, he played in Spain’s top basketball league, the ACB. The 203 cm tall player has signed a one-year contract with the club.
“Jacob is an athletic player who can play both the 4 and 5 positions. We needed a player who could play above the rim, and most importantly – add height in the battle for rebounds,” said Rytas Vilnius head coach Giedrius Žibėnas. “He is a player who is not afraid to play tough, physical, and aggressive basketball, and his energy should match perfectly with the constant energy shown by our fans. On top of that, Jacob has already gained considerable experience in European competitions.”
Last season, wearing the Granadas Coviran jersey, the 30-year-old player appeared in 19 games, averaging just over 19 minutes on the court, scoring 8.3 points, grabbing 3.7 rebounds, and dishing out 1.1 assists per game. He finished the season in Puerto Rico, where in 11 games he averaged 21.5 minutes, scored 11.1 points, recorded 1.8 assists, grabbed 3.7 rebounds, and made 1.5 steals per game.
Throughout his career, J. Wiley has played in both the NBA and EuroLeague. He has worn the jerseys of Brooklyn Nets, Gran Canaria, and Panathinaikos Athens. In addition to club-level experience, Jacob Wiley also represents the North Macedonia national team, where in a single game during the 2024–2025 FIBA World Cup he played 34 minutes, scored 28 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, made 4 assists, and recorded 38 efficiency points.
Rytas Vilnius also reminds that the club extended contracts this summer with Artūras Gudaitis and Gytis Radzevičius, and earlier this year with Gytis Masiulis and Martynas Paliukėnas. The team has also been strengthened by Jordanas Walker, Simonas Lukošius, Kayus Bruhnke, and Jerrick Harding. The club maintains contracts with Ignas Sargiūnas and young talents Gantas Križanauskas and Ignas Urbonas.