VILNIUS – After four seasons at Lietuvos Rytas, the 23-year-old Lithuanian guard Martynas Gecevicius will be moving to Piraeus. It was announced that Olympiacos bought out the remaining year of the sharpshooter’s deal with the club from the Lithuanian capital for €250,000, a price-tag named in the player’s contract.
Although it was always likely that Lietuvos Rytas would try to get something out of losing Gecevicius rather than just allow the contract to run out, multiple reports had suggested that Lithuanian starlet was close to extending the contract, which would have delayed the player’s departure until after the upcoming season ended.
However, the player decided not to stay in his hometown Vilnius and chose Olympiacos, a team that started a rebuilding process, but, according to Gecevicius, will be a big step forward in the player’s career.
“The budget won’t be as big as it used to be, but the club isn’t bankrupt either. They’ve got money. It’s a great team and it’s a great chance for me,” said the player, who was the key player for Lietuvos Rytas the last two seasons.
Gecevicius had the second successful season in a row and proved himself as one of the most deadly shooters in Europe. The guard averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in Euroleague for Lietuvos Rytas, who were a win away from reaching the playoffs.
It is still a while before the talented player will need to start worrying about his new role in Piraeus, as Gecevicius is now working out with the Lithuanian national team, which still hasn’t finished the selection process for EuroBasket 2011, which the country is hosting.
The Lithuanian Perspective 