{"id":9388,"date":"2026-08-09T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rytasvilnius.lt\/en\/?p=9388"},"modified":"2026-08-09T09:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T06:42:41","slug":"cassius-winston-will-lead-the-rytas-offense-next-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rytasvilnius.lt\/en\/news\/cassius-winston-will-lead-the-rytas-offense-next-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Cassius Winston will lead the Rytas offense next season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The backcourt of the capital’s basketball club will be bolstered next season by 28-year-old, 185 cm tall point guard Cassius Winston.<\/span><\/p>\n

The American is already familiar to Vilnius basketball fans from on-court battles<\/span>. Representing the Reggiana club of Reggio Emilia<\/span>, Winston scored 26 points (his personal tournament high)<\/span>, grabbed 4 rebounds<\/span>, and dished out 6 assists<\/span> against Rytas in Vilnius<\/span> during a FIBA Champions League game in the 2024\u20132025 season<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The guard spent the past 2025\u20132026 season with the Hapoel Jerusalem team<\/span>. In the EuroCup tournament, the basketball player averaged 15.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. In the Israeli League, his stats reached 13.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in an average of 20 minutes on the court.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I chose Rytas because I felt it was a great organization and a great place for me to continue growing as a player and to make a positive impact on the team. I played against Rytas a couple of seasons ago and I remember very well that the fans were simply crazy, the atmosphere was incredibly fun, and the arena itself was very beautiful and spacious. It was clear that the fans were ready to strongly support their team, and I definitely wanted to become a part of something like that,” said the new addition of Rytas Vilnius, Cassius Winston. “Playing in front of such a fan base means a lot to me, and I know they will have our backs as we strive to make this season special. The team and the fans can expect me to give my all on the court every single night to help win games, push myself and the squad to move forward, and help others improve. I can’t wait to step onto the court.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Before moving to Israel, the basketball player competed in Italy<\/span>. Wearing the Reggiana jersey in the local Serie A league, he played 32 games, averaging 15.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winston started his professional career in Europe in the 2022\u20132023 season, when he joined the Bayern Munich squad.<\/span> With this club, he won the German Cup and made his Euroleague debut<\/span>. Later, in the 2023\u20132024 season, his destination was Turkey, where, representing the Tofas Bursa team in the domestic championship<\/span>, the guard averaged 14.8 points and 5.3 assists<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Cassius’s arrival into the overall picture of the team will bring both experience and leadership, both on and off the court. He is a player who will bring the ability to score points himself to the team’s play, while at the same time involving his teammates. I believe that his profile and playing style will fit perfectly with the roster we already have,” said Rytas head coach Nedas Pacevi\u010dius.<\/p>\n

During his college years in the US, Winston played for Michigan State University (Michigan State Spartans). Representing this team, the point guard became the university’s all-time assist leader (890 assists), and in 2019, he was recognized as the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. After graduating, the basketball player moved to the NBA \u2013 he was selected 53rd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder[<\/span>6<\/span><\/a>]. Later, the guard spent two years in the Washington Wizards system, playing 29 NBA regular-season games<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n