By Eurohoops / info@eurohoops.net
Vilnius Rytas were crowned champions of the tenth edition of the Basketball Champions League with a historic performance for the ages, overcoming a 20-point deficit to win 92-86 in overtime and become the first Lithuanian champions in BCL history. Before 10,372 fans, in a spectacular atmosphere reminiscent of the greatest nights in European basketball, and in a Palau Municipal de Badalona that witnessed the Dream Team play back in 1992, Simas Lukosius shone brightly with a legendary performance: at just 23 years old, and after failing to score in the semifinal against La Laguna Tenerife, he poured in 23 points with a historic 7/10 from three-point range, a feat never before seen in a final.
With his medal around his neck and the BCL MVP trophy in his hand, Lukosius, who played college basketball in the NCAA, reflects on a historic performance, the Basketball Champions League title, and his next dream thanks to his dual nationality: debuting with the German national team under Álex Mumbrú, who was present at the Final Four. The Lithuanian national team also made history in this arena, although, as the MVP jokingly acknowledged, “that happened 10 years before I was born, although of course I know about it. I’m glad I was able to make a little bit of history here too.”
Quite a way to introduce yourself to the world in an international competition, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s truly the biggest opportunity I’ve had to date. It’s incredible; we’ve achieved something very special. I’m happy for the team and for all the work we’ve done throughout the year.
Did you ever imagine something like this? I’ll say one thing: you have to dream big and imagine big, otherwise, it won’t happen. So yes, I have imagined it. It’s vital to have confidence in yourself, to believe in your abilities. It doesn’t matter if only you believe it, but you have to. If you dream it, it will be possible.
They played an incredible final; they never gave up, no matter how bad the game looked with AEK dominating.
This is basketball; nothing is over until the final whistle blows. We reached the last quarter and faced it with the right mindset: strong, confident, united, fighting as a team with the goal of getting back into the game. And we did it.
They seemed unstoppable at times in the Final. What does it feel like to be in that momentum and at that level of confidence?
I think it’s incomparable; it’s a feeling every athlete wants to have, and I’m glad I was at that level. I wouldn’t say I felt unstoppable, but it was something special. When you play with that freedom, you stop thinking and opportunities arise, and it’s about trying to take advantage of them.
His hand didn’t tremble. Some of those three-pointers were so curved that some might say they came down through the snow.
(Laughter). Yes, although we’re in Spain, so there wasn’t any snow.
And the three-pointer that forced overtime?
It’s a play we practiced, we executed it perfectly, and I received the ball. I didn’t think about anything.
You’ve made history with Rytas Vilnius’ first BCL title and the first for Lithuanian basketball in many years. What was it like?
We’d wanted it since the beginning of the season. It was one of our goals. Maybe some people outside thought it wasn’t possible; I’m sure some laughed and didn’t think we’d be here in the Final Four, much less that we could beat these teams and lift the title.
Did you feel the need or responsibility to take the reins when you saw that some teammates, like Harding, who had a great semifinal and was named to the All-League First Team, weren’t having their best day?
No, you always trust Jerrick because you know what kind of player he is, and you know that no matter the circumstances of the game, he’s the one who’s going to carry us. I didn’t feel the need to take on any responsibility, but the defense was closing in on him too much, and I had the opportunity to get open shots, and I took advantage of it. The great thing we have is that we have players who are a threat to the defense, and that opens up options, and I had them.
You are half-German and has his sights set on playing for the German national team. Coach Álex Mumbrú was here at the Final Four in the front row. Would you like him to call you up for the upcoming windows in July?
Please, yes. Of course. I would love for him to call me up and to be able to play with the national team in the windows. Mumbrú was a great player with Spain, a World Champion. And I know he’s a great coach. I would love to play with him. Playing for the national team is a dream; it would make me very happy.