Vladas Garastas
Lithuanian basketball coach (1932–2026)
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Vladas Garastas (8 February 1932 – 10 June 2026) was a Lithuanian professional basketball coach and the president of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. Following the restoration of Lithuanian independence, he led the national team and won the bronze medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, and silver at EuroBasket 1995.[2]
Born8 February 1932
Joniškėlis, Lithuania[a]
Died10 June 2026 (aged 94)
Kaunas, Lithuania
Playing career1952–1960
PositionPoint guard
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 8 February 1932 Joniškėlis, Lithuania[a] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 10 June 2026 (aged 94) Kaunas, Lithuania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1952–1960 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 1979–1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1952–1960 | Vilniaus rytas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1979–1989 | Žalgiris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1992 | Prievidza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | Nevezis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1998 | Alita Alytus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As head coach:
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Medals
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Coaching career
- 1979–1989: Žalgiris Kaunas head coach
- 1989–1991: Soviet Union national team head coach
- 1990–1992: Prievidza head coach
- 1992–1997: Lithuanian national team head coach
- 1994–1996: Atletas Kaunas head coach
- 1996–1998: Alita Alytus head coach
Death
Awards and achievements
With Žalgiris Kaunas club:
- Won three USSR Premier Basketball League titles in 1985, 1986, 1987[2]
- Runner-up in five USSR Premier Basketball League tournaments: 1980, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989[4]
- Won 1986 FIBA Club World Cup[2]
- 2nd place in 1985–86 FIBA European Champions Cup
With 
Lithuania:
- Bronze medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Basketball Tournaments[2]
- Silver medal in Eurobasket 1995 final against
Yugoslavia national team
With Soviet Union national team:
- Bronze medal in Eurobasket 1989
- Silver medal in 1990 FIBA World Championship
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Lietuvos Krepšinis 1920–2004 | Himself | Documentary about basketball in Lithuania in 1920–2004. | |
| 2012 | The Other Dream Team | Himself | Documentary about the Lithuania men's national basketball team at the 1992 Summer Olympics. | [5] |
| 2023 | Bilietas (The Ticket) | Himself | Documentary about the basketball club Žalgiris Kaunas in 1979–1989. | [6] |