One of the best defenders in NBA history, Gary Payton, April 21-22. will visit Vilnius, where the NBA basketball festival "OlyBet DUNK IT" will take place. The NBA legend will meet fans and participate in the 3×3 basketball tournament of the same name, as well as give a special gift to Vilnius, which is celebrating its 700th anniversary. Larry O'Brien's NBA Champions Trophy will return to Lithuania with him.
G. Payton's basketball talent shone in 1986. after enrolling at the University of Oregon. That year, Payton was named college player of the year by the million-circulation sports magazine Sports Illustrated. He started his NBA career in 1990. invited to the Seattle basketball team "SuperSonics". That said, he is the SuperSonics all-time scoring leader.
His talent was recognized in 1996 when he was invited to JAV the men's basketball team, which he represented until 2000. Gary 1996 was recognized as the NBA defender of the year and the NBA leader in steals, and in 1999 - USA basketball player of the year. He has received the nickname "The glove" because of his tough defense. in 2006 he became the NBA champion with the Miami Heat team.
The nine-time NBA All-Star team member also has connections with Lithuania. His teammate in the Seattle SuperSonics was the legendary Lithuanian basketball player Šarūnas Marčiulionis. G. Payton was one of the leaders in the US men's basketball team in 2000. at the Olympic Games in Sydney. Then his team narrowly escaped defeat to the Lithuanian national team in the semi-finals, when the score was still tied with 43,4 seconds left, and the US national team won in the remaining dramatic seconds with a score of 85:83. Then G. Payton became the Olympic champion, and the Lithuanian national team won the bronze after defeating the hosts, the Australians.
Along with G. Payton, Larry O'Brien's NBA Champions Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the final four every season, is returning to Lithuania. The 61 cm high goblet is made of more than 7 kg of silver and covered with 24 carat gold. Since 1977 the cup for the new NBA champion is produced annually by the world-famous US jewelry company Tiffany & Co.
For the first time in the history of Lithuania, in Vilnius, it was demonstrated last year near the premises of the capital's "OlyBet sports bar and grill". Then hundreds of curious people gathered to look at it and take selfies.
April 21 this year. The exhibition of the trophy will be shown again at the OlyBet sports bar and grill premises. On that day, G. Paytonas will present Vilnius and all its residents with his handprint on the sports field at the 700th birthday White bridge.
April 22 The OlyBet DUNK IT 3×3 National All-Stars vs. Basketball Pros with Mr. Payton will be held at Jeep Arena, and the NBA trophy will also be available to view. In basketball terminology, the English word "dunk" describes a shot when a player sends the ball into the hoop with his hands raised well above it. Prizes will await both the event participants and spectators. Tickets for the event are distributed by kakava.lt for a nominal fee. All funds collected for the tickets will be allocated to the Rimantas Kaukėnas charity and support fund.
