Former Zalgiris and Lithuania national team head coach Kazys Maksvytis is expected to take over at Manisa Basket, sources tell BasketNews. The 47-year-old coach was also in the mix of candidates for the head coach position at Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Former Lithuania national team and Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Kazys Maksvytis is nearing a move to Manisa Basket, sources tell BasketNews.
The 47-year-old coach is expected to sign a long-term deal with the Turkish club.
Maksvytis, known for guiding Zalgiris to the EuroLeague playoffs during his debut season, has been regarded as one of the top available coaches on the market.
This summer, he was also one of the leading candidates for the Paris Basketball head coaching position and engaged in advanced talks before the club ultimately chose Tiago Splitter.
Hapoel Tel Aviv, rumored to be considering a coaching change, also had Maksvytis on their radar.
Maksvytis' tenure with Zalgiris was marked by the rollercoaster. Midway through his second year, the Zalgiris front office considered dismissing the 47-year-old, but the players convinced them to keep him in a players meeting with the management. However, a month later, Zalgiris decided to part ways with him.
During his tenure, Zalgiris has managed to defeat powerhouses like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, AS Monaco, and Maccabi — all teams that either reached Game 5 of the playoffs or made it to the Final Four in the past two seasons.
Maksvytis stepped down from the Lithuanian national team after missing out on the Paris Olympics despite a successful 2023 World Cup run in which Lithuania finished 6th and defeated Team USA.
Maksvytis has a track record of exceeding expectations, having previously coached in Perm, Lietkabelis Panevezys, and Neptunas Klaipeda, often achieving success despite limited financial resources.
Manisa Basket currently tops Group H in the Basketball Champions League, ahead of UCAM Murcia, FMP Belgrade, and Peristeri Athens.
However, their domestic campaign has been far more challenging, with the team enduring six consecutive losses to start the Turkish league season.
Manisa's struggles were compounded early on by the departures of two key players: Saben Lee, who joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Javon Freeman-Liberty, who signed with the Chicago Bulls.
