The Lithuanian Basketball Federation have announced that Arvydas Sabonis will continue on as their president.
With Eurobasket concluding over two weeks ago, Sabonis told the committee of his intention to resign following criticism aimed at the national team’s head coach Jonas Kazlauskas who himself planned to quit if Sabonis was leaving.
Kazlauskas went on to lead Lithuania to a silver medal at Eurobasket in Slovenia.
Instead, LBF secretary general Mindaugas Balciunas will be stepping down from his role.
“The Lithuanian Basketball Federation president Arvydas Sabonis has decided to stay in the LKF office of the president,” the statement said.
“In addition, LBF secretary general Mindaugas Balciunas has decided to leave office.”
Balciunas said: “I made up my mind when Arvydas Sabonis agreed to remain in the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. It was the decisive factor in my decision.”
In the series of statements, Sabonis said: “This week has been a difficult one for the basketball world.
“There were many discussions and explorations of different solutions.
“I am sure that Lithuanian basketball will remain strong and continue to improve its positions in both Lithuania and the world.
“I am grateful to Mindaugas Balciunas for spending many years in the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.”
Sabonis, a former Portland Trailblazer and Lithuanian international is a member of both the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
With this news, it is rumoured that Kazlauskas is expected to continue on as head coach.
