Gintaras are a CBL club with Lithuanian roots, based in East London. Basketball is extremely popular in Lithuania and is regarded by many to be the number 1 sport in the country.
A proud and talented nation, Lithuania has produced some of the best basketball players in the history of international basketball over the years, such as Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers), Jonas Valanciunas (Memphis Grizzlies), Linas Kleiza (Denver Nuggets), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cleveland Cavaliers) and the legends Sarunas Marciulionis (Golden State Warriors) and Arvydas Sabonis(Portland Trailblazers).
Basketball also brings Lithuanian communities together and is passionately supported at all levels. It is often said that in Lithuania “basketball is a religion” and it is fair to say basketball is a big part of Lithuanian culture and in some respects, international identity.
Gintaras BC is managed by founder and club president, Kes Dobravolskis, who also runs a successful British Lithuanian Basketball League (BLBL). The aim of the club, in Kes’ words, is to “Bring us all together the best way – by playing basketball”.
Kes and his brother Gintaras were both passionate fans of the sport and began developing basketball for the London based Lithuanian community over 10 years ago. Sadly, Gintaras passed away after suffering a stroke and it is in his honour and name in which Kes has moved forward with the naming of the club – passing on the legacy of Lithuanian basketball culture, passion and community to a new generation of youngsters across London.
If you’re interested in joining or supporting our club, please fill out the form below:
