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Marius Grigonis (born 26 April 1994) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague. Standing at a height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Key Information

Early career

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Before starting his professional career, Grigonis played in the NKL with the Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school for four seasons. He was an important contributor to the team during his debut season, and established himself as a leader by his third season. He won bronze medals during his last two seasons with the Sabonis school team.

Professional career

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On 15 May 2013, Grigonis was brought into the main Žalgiris roster for a game against BC Nizhny Novgorod in the VTB United League.

Playing in Spain (2013–2017)

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For the 2013–14 season, Grigonis was loaned to the Spanish second division team Peñas Huesca. He was included in the All-LEB Oro team.[1]

On 14 August 2014, Grigonis signed a two-year deal with Bàsquet Manresa of the Liga ACB. After spending two seasons with Manresa, he signed a "2+1" deal with Iberostar Tenerife on 28 July 2016.[2] He was named the Final Four MVP of the Basketball Champions League 2016–17 season. On 13 July 2017, Grigonis parted ways with Tenerife.[3]

Alba Berlin (2017–2018)

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On 13 July 2017, he signed a three-year deal with German club Alba Berlin.[4]

Return to Žalgiris (2018–2021)

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On 3 July 2018, Grigonis returned to Žalgiris Kaunas when he signed a three-year contract.[5] His season was cut short due to an injury in November 2019. Grigonis averaged 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the first 10 games of the 2019–20 season. On 8 July 2020, he re-signed with the team.[6]

CSKA Moscow (2021–2022)

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On 12 June 2021, Grigonis signed a three-year contract with VTB United League champions and EuroLeague mainstays CSKA Moscow. He averaged 8.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game during his first season the Russian powerhouse.

On 28 February 2022, upon the outbreak of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he departed the club.[7][8][9] The team accused him of violating his contract.[8][10]

Panathinaikos (2022–present)

[edit]

On 14 July 2022, Grigonis signed a two-year contract with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague, after a settlement agreement between the Greek club and CSKA Moscow was reached.[11]

Grigonis received an improved role in the team rotation during his second season, under the supervision of new head coach Ergin Ataman. On 8 April 2024, Grigonis agreed upon a three-year contract extension that would keep him with the Greek powerhouse through 2027.[12] On July 11 of the same year, the deal was made official.[13]

In the 2024–25 season, Marius Grigonis was sidelined for an extended period due to a serious back injury. He last played for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on October 17, 2024, during a EuroLeague Round 4 game against Real Madrid, where he was on the court for only 2 minutes and 24 seconds before exiting due to back pain.[14]

Initially, Grigonis was expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks of action. However, his recovery was slower than anticipated, leading to a decision to undergo surgery. The surgery was performed on December 11, 2024, in Athens.[15] Despite the procedure and ongoing rehabilitation efforts, Grigonis's back issues persisted, preventing him from returning to the court for the remainder of the season.[16]

In the 2025–26 season, Grigonis made his return to the court on September 30, 2025, after 344 days out, playing 8 minutes in Panathinaikos’ 87–79 EuroLeague season opener victory over Bayern Munich. Upon entering the game, he received an enthusiastic ovation from the fans.[17]

National team career

[edit]

Grigonis represented Lithuania in the U–16, U–18, U–19 and U–20 youth tournaments. He led his team to two silver medals and a bronze medal while participating in four tournaments. During the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship semifinal game, he scored the winning shot against Serbia. As a result of his contributions to the team's success, he was chosen to be included in the All–Tournament Team.[18] In 2014, coach Jonas Kazlauskas included Grigonis in the preliminary 24–player candidate list for the senior national basketball team.[19] Though, he was invited to the national team training camp for the first time only in 2016 and immediately qualified into the Olympic roster.[20][21]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance index rating
 Bold  Career high

EuroLeague

[edit]
† Competition Winner
* Led the league
Injured 50%+ of games missed due to injury
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2018–19 Žalgiris 34 18 20.8 .466 .442 .935 2.1 1.9 .6 — 8.7 9.3
2019–20 10 10 25.7 .447 .386 .846 2.6 2.0 .5 .1 11.5 11
2020–21 34 34 27.6 .481 .456 .944 2.1 3.3 .8 .1 13.4 13.7
2021–22 CSKA Moscow 16 3 19.4 .424 .431 .917 1.4 1.9 .6 — 8.5 7.4
2022–23 Panathinaikos 27 7 17.9 .435 .435 .840 1.6 1.6 .4 — 8.1 7.6
2023–24† 41* 36 24.7 .483 .417 .900 2.7 1.3 .6 — 9.1 8.7
2024–25Injured 4 2 22.9 .333 .250 1.000 0.8 1.0 .0 .3 3.0 2.8
Career 166 110 22.4 .463 .430 .906 2.1 2.0 .6 .0 9.7 9.6

EuroCup

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2017–18 Alba Berlin 16 8 25.1 .449 .475 .897 3.1 2.6 .9 — 11.6 13.5
Career 16 8 25.1 .449 .475 .897 3.1 2.6 .9 — 11.6 13.5

Basketball Champions League

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17† Canarias 14 10 20.0 .460 .347 .825 2.1 2.0 .6 .1 9.3
Career 14 10 20.0 .460 .347 .825 2.1 2.0 .6 .1 9.3

Domestic leagues

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Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Lithuania Žalgiris-2 NKL 18 15.8 .382 .324 .786 1.8 .9 .7 .1 4.5
2010–11 14 8.3 .306 .273 .800 1.1 .4 .2 .1 2.3
2011–12 46 23.3 .494 .331 .808 3.6 2.2 2.0 .9 10.5
2012–13 38 29.0 .484 .419 .862 5.0 3.0 1.2 .1 13.9
2012–13 Lithuania Žalgiris VTBUL 1 1.9 — — — — — — — 0.0
2013–14 Spain Peñas Huesca LEB Oro 28 25.8 .491 .488 .829 2.9 2.0 .9 .2 13.0
2014–15 Spain Manresa ACB 26 21.2 .416 .430 .714 3.2 .6 .4 .1 7.7
2015–16 34 25.2 .449 .394 .765 3.0 .9 .6 .1 9.7
2016–17 Spain Canarias 30 19.6 .385 .363 .857 1.4 2.0 .5 .1 6.2
2017–18 Germany Alba Berlin BBL 47 24.7 .529 .469 .879 2.7 2.6 1.1 .1 12.0
2018–19† Lithuania Žalgiris LKL 40 20.4 .504 .368 .892 3.0 2.3 .7 .1 9.5
2019–20† 7 17.5 .405 .364 .909 1.9 1.7 .1 — 6.9
2020–21† 39 21.0 .527 .467 .913 2.0 3.4 1.0 .0 12.9
2021–22 Russia CSKA Moscow VTBUL 10 19.0 .554 .512 .867 .6 2.0 .3 — 12.0
2022–23 Greece Panathinaikos GBL 19 25.6 .437 .418 .778 2.9 2.7 .8 .0 12.4
2023–24† 35 19.9 .524 .513 .875 2.4 1.6 .7 .0 9.2
2024–25 Injured 2 12.5 .615 .517 .833 2.5 1.0 1.0 .0 12.5

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Marius Grigonis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Marius Grigonis (born 26 April 1994) is a Lithuanian professional player who plays as a shooting guard/ for Panathinaikos AKTOR of the Greek Basket League and the . Born in , Grigonis stands at 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) and developed his skills in Lithuania's top leagues before establishing himself in European elite competition. Grigonis began his professional career with Žalgiris Kaunas, where he contributed to Lithuanian League championships in 2018–19 and 2020–21, along with national cup victories in 2020 and 2021. He later played for Baxi Manresa in Spain's and in Russia's before joining Panathinaikos in 2023, with whom he won the championship in 2024 and the Greek Cup in 2025. Internationally, he has represented the Lithuanian national team at major tournaments, including the , the 2017 , and the 2019 World Cup. Grigonis is recognized for his efficient shooting, earning inclusion in the 's 50–40–90 club in 2021 for achieving over 50% field goal, 40% three-point, and 90% free-throw percentages in a season.

Early life and youth development

Birth and family background

Marius Grigonis was born on April 26, 1994, in , . Public details on his family remain limited, with no documented elite athletic lineage among relatives; however, his passion for originated within the household, transmitted from his grandfather to his father and then to his older brother, who is four years his senior and acted as an early role model. Kaunas, as the base of BC Žalgiris—the club holding the most Lithuanian championships since its founding in —fostered a pervasive culture in the post-independence era, immersing local youth like Grigonis in the sport from an early age.

Initial basketball involvement and youth teams

Grigonis developed his early basketball skills within the youth academy of in his hometown of , , where basketball holds a prominent cultural role. He joined the club's junior program, progressing through its developmental structure before entering competitive leagues. His organized competitive debut occurred in the NKL, Lithuania's second-tier professional league that frequently includes reserve and youth squads, with —the club's affiliated youth school named after —during the 2009–10 season, at age 15. Grigonis remained with this team for four seasons through 2012–13, establishing himself as a key contributor in domestic junior play. By his mid-teens, Grigonis had advanced to Žalgiris' B team level within the NKL framework, gaining exposure to higher-intensity training and matches that bridged youth and senior . This period marked his foundational growth in offensive scoring and perimeter skills, setting the stage for overseas opportunities without yet entering full senior contracts in .

Professional club career

Early professional stints in Lithuania and Spain (2011–2017)

Grigonis began his professional career with Žalgiris-2 Kaunas in Lithuania's NKL second division, playing there from the 2009–10 season through 2012–13, with increased involvement starting around 2011 as he transitioned from youth ranks. In the 2011–12 season, he averaged approximately 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, reflecting modest production in a developmental role, including a career-high 13 rebounds in a single NKL contest on January 7, 2012. These stints provided foundational experience in domestic competition without standout awards, emphasizing gradual adaptation to senior play. In 2013–14, Grigonis moved abroad on to Peñas in Spain's LEB league, marking his entry into European professional circuits beyond Lithuania's top tier. This period exposed him to higher physicality and pace, though specific per-game averages remain limited in records, aligning with a developmental focused on minutes accumulation rather than starring output. Grigonis signed a two-year contract with of Spain's in August 2014, debuting in the top division. Over two seasons (2014–16), he appeared in 34 games for , logging substantial minutes (totaling 857 across the stint) while contributing offensively, with field goal efficiency around 39.4% and free throw accuracy at 76.5%, indicative of growing consistency in a competitive environment. His role evolved from bench contributor to more regular rotation player, averaging improved scoring and efficiency metrics year-over-year without securing individual accolades. In 2016–17, Grigonis joined Iberostar in the ACB, where he averaged 6.4 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game across 27 appearances in 20.1 minutes, shooting 37.8% from three-point range. reached the ACB playoffs, and Grigonis contributed to their title, earning MVP honors for his performance in the tournament's decisive stages. This season highlighted his adaptation to elite European competition, including EuroCup exposure, with rising efficiency in scoring and playmaking.

Alba Berlin and return to Žalgiris Kaunas (2017–2021)

On 13 July 2017, Grigonis signed a three-year contract with Alba Berlin of the German Basketball Bundesliga and EuroCup. In the 2017–18 EuroCup season, he played 16 games, averaging 25.0 minutes, 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, with notable efficiency highlighted by a 47.5% three-point shooting rate and peaks including 20 points and a 27 index rating. On 3 July 2018, Grigonis returned to Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas, his hometown team and youth developer, on a three-year deal after five years abroad. This homecoming, described as a defining moment enabling play before friends and family, coincided with stabilized performance amid Lithuania's robust basketball ecosystem. Over the 2018–21 campaigns, he contributed as a versatile wing, averaging approximately 9–11 points per game with 42.9% three-point accuracy in select seasons, supporting playoff qualifications including quarterfinal appearances. Grigonis helped Žalgiris secure the 2018–19 Lithuanian and the 2020–21 title alongside Lithuanian Cups in 2020 and 2021. His 2019–20 season was curtailed by injury in November after 10 games, where he averaged 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. The return emphasized a shift toward consistent perimeter shooting and defensive contributions, leveraging familiarity with the club's system for enhanced role reliability.

CSKA Moscow tenure (2021–2022)

Grigonis signed a three-year contract with on June 12, 2021, joining the Russian club as its first offseason acquisition ahead of the season. The move positioned him on a contending roster featuring established stars, where he served primarily as a rotation wing player capable of perimeter scoring and playmaking. In 16 EuroLeague appearances (three starts) that season, Grigonis averaged 8.5 points, 1.9 assists, 1.4 rebounds, and 19.4 minutes per game, shooting 43.1% from two-point range, 42.4% from three-point range, and 91.7% from the free-throw line. His efficiency rating averaged 8.5 PIR per contest, reflecting steady contributions in shooting and facilitation despite limited starting role amid CSKA's depth. These outputs aligned with his prior scoring norms, unaffected by roster dynamics or external factors until the league's suspension of Russian teams. CSKA's EuroLeague participation ended prematurely following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting Grigonis's departure from the club on March 1, 2022, alongside other foreign players citing personal and family reasons. The early exit truncated his tenure, originally set to run through , but his on-court metrics demonstrated resilience without evident decline from geopolitical disruptions. While some Lithuanian observers voiced reservations about nationals competing in Russian leagues due to historical tensions, Grigonis's pre-invasion commitment underscored contractual autonomy, with performance data prioritizing empirical consistency over narrative interpretations.

Panathinaikos era (2022–present)

Marius Grigonis joined Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on July 14, 2022, signing a two-year contract after departing for a buyout fee of approximately 250,000 euros. In his initial seasons, he contributed as a shooting guard in both the and Greek Basket League, averaging notable minutes in a squad positioned for titles, including Panathinaikos's 2024 EuroLeague championship win, where Grigonis participated before extending his contract in April 2024 to remain until 2027. Grigonis maintained consistent performance through early 2024-25 until sidelined by a persistent back injury that restricted him to just eight games across all competitions. The injury necessitated on December 19, 2024, resulting in a 344-day absence from official play. During his time out, Panathinaikos secured the 2025 Greek National Cup. He returned on September 30, 2025, in Panathinaikos's season opener against , entering for eight minutes in an 87-79 victory and receiving strong fan support. As of October 2025, Grigonis has logged limited minutes in subsequent games, averaging 6:29 per contest with 0.8 points, 0.0 rebounds, and 0.2 assists, reflecting a cautious reintegration focused on recovery over immediate statistical output. His metrics remain low in this phase, prioritizing team contributions in a title-contending roster without rushing full involvement.

International career

Youth international achievements

![Silver medal – second place](./assets/Silver_medal_icon_SinitialS_initial Marius Grigonis began representing at the youth international level with the U16 national team at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, where the team secured a after reaching the final. In nine games, Grigonis contributed 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, demonstrating early scoring efficiency with a 37.5% three-point shooting percentage. This exposure to high-stakes competition honed his perimeter skills, providing a foundation for subsequent professional transitions through repeated tactical execution under pressure. Grigonis advanced to the U18 level, participating in the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with averages of 5.9 points and 1.6 rebounds across seven contests. He returned for the 2012 edition, elevating his output to 12.3 points per game while aiding 's semifinal run. These tournaments emphasized his development in transition play and mid-range scoring, with consistent minutes fostering adaptability against varied European defenses. At the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in the , Grigonis helped claim bronze, averaging 13 points and 5.8 rebounds per game over nine matches, including a standout 31-point performance against . His peak efficiency rating of 39 in a single game underscored causal links between youth reps and pro-level versatility, as evidenced by his 61.9% two-point shooting. These achievements collectively built a resume of competitive resilience, directly informing his club scouting appeal.

Senior national team contributions

Grigonis first appeared for Lithuania's senior national team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he played in six games off the bench, averaging 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 6.7% from three-point range over 16.8 minutes. Lithuania finished ninth overall after group-stage losses to , , and , highlighting the team's struggles against top competition despite a roster featuring NBA talent. His limited role reflected his youth and adjustment to senior international play, prioritizing perimeter shooting development amid Lithuania's reliance on interior scoring. By the 2017 , Grigonis saw slightly increased minutes in five games, contributing 4.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game as advanced to the quarterfinals before a loss to . At the 2019 , he emerged as a more consistent contributor with 10.2 points per game on 33.3% three-point shooting across five appearances, though exited in the group stage with a 1-2 record, underscoring non-dominant results against powerhouses like and . These performances established him as a reliable shooter, with advanced metrics showing positive on-court impact in spot-up opportunities despite team-wide efficiency challenges. Grigonis's role expanded in recent cycles, averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over six games at the 2022 , where reached the quarterfinals but fell to Poland. In the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, he led the team with 17.5 points per game in four outings, including a 23-point effort against , guiding to the final before a defeat to prevented Olympic qualification. His contributions, measured by elevated plus-minus ratings in high-volume three-point attempts, reflect 's strategy of leveraging experienced guards for perimeter volume, though quarterfinal ceilings persist amid talent depth constraints.

Playing style and physical attributes

Offensive and defensive capabilities

Grigonis excels as a versatile wing capable of playing both shooting guard and positions, leveraging his 6'6" frame for multi-faceted offensive contributions. His primary strength lies in elite three-point , exemplified by a 43.7% success rate on attempts during the season with Panathinaikos, where he averaged 10.1 points overall. This proficiency stems from quick release mechanics and reliable off-ball movement, allowing him to exploit spacing in flex offenses through cuts and relocations rather than primary ball-handling creation. Complementing his perimeter game, Grigonis maintains mid-range reliability with a 58.4% two-point in the same season, enabling pull-up jumpers and drives when defenses close out aggressively. Defensively, Grigonis's average size restricts his rim protection capabilities, positioning him more effectively as a perimeter defender reliant on anticipation and footwork rather than physical dominance. He demonstrates solid on-ball positioning against guards and wings, contributing steals through active hands—nearing 100 career thefts by late 2024—while maintaining team defensive schemes without frequent gambles that lead to breakdowns. However, his overall defensive impact remains middling, as quantified by modest block and rebound rates relative to usage, underscoring a profile better suited to containing shooters than elite slashers or interior threats. As a high-volume scorer, Grigonis thrives in structured systems but can exhibit inefficiencies under duress, with shooting percentages fluctuating in high-stakes scenarios due to forced contested attempts amid physical contests. This balance of pros—sharpshooting and versatility—against cons like limited creation and defensive ceiling defines his role as a complementary piece rather than a primary option.

Evolution and adaptability

Grigonis's early professional phase in Spanish leagues emphasized volume scoring, with frequent high-output games reflecting a raw, aggressive approach reliant on perimeter creation, though efficiency varied amid inconsistent minutes in LEB Gold and ACB environments. By his mid-career return to after stints abroad, he refined his role, prioritizing smarter shot selection and playmaking, as evidenced by improved assist-to-turnover ratios in high-stakes contests, where transitions to structured offenses demanded reduced isolation plays in favor of complementary contributions. This maturation continued at , where league-level escalation correlated with a drop in per-game scoring from double digits to approximately 8.5 points alongside steadier 1.9 assists, indicating adaptation to elite defensive schemes through better off-ball movement and selective aggression rather than primary usage. Causal factors included coaching emphases on system fit over individual dominance, yielding higher effective percentages in constrained roles, though raw PER metrics remained moderate due to limited possessions. Entering his early 30s at Panathinaikos, Grigonis demonstrated further adaptability post a severe back requiring on December 19, 2024, which sidelined him for 344 days; his October 1, 2025, return featured cautious reintegration with sub-10-minute averages and "not much" usage, prioritizing efficiency (e.g., 0.9 points per scoring attempt) over volume to mitigate re- risk amid aging-related physical decline. Overall, career arcs reveal a progression from high-usage inefficiency in developmental leagues to sustainable output in top-tier competition, driven by and biomechanical necessities rather than innate "growth," with recent data underscoring a deliberate pivot to low-turnover facilitation.

Achievements, awards, and statistics

Major accolades and honors

Grigonis earned silver medals with the Lithuanian youth national team at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He also claimed a bronze medal at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, where Lithuania finished third after defeating Croatia in the bronze medal game on July 14, 2013. In his professional career, Grigonis contributed to club team achievements, including the 2017 title with Canarias , secured on April 30, 2017, against Sidigas Avellino. With Žalgiris Kaunas, he won the Lithuanian Basketball Cup in both 2020 and 2021. His tenure with Panathinaikos culminated in the 2024 championship, defeating Real Madrid 95-80 in the final on May 26, 2024. On an individual level, Grigonis received recognition as MVP for in the 2020-21 season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over six games. He was also named Round 5 MVP that season, sharing the weekly honor with after scoring 24 points in a win over on October 29, 2020. Despite consistent performances across a decade in elite European , Grigonis has not secured broader accolades such as selections or seasonal MVP awards, outcomes attributable to the high caliber of competition in the league rather than diminished personal merit.

Career performance metrics

Grigonis has maintained consistent scoring output in elite European competitions, averaging 9.5 (PPG), 2.1 rebounds per game (RPG), and 1.9 assists per game (APG) across 170 appearances, alongside a 42.9% three-point shooting percentage on career volume. These figures reflect broader international career norms of 9.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 1.9 APG over 537 games, with effective shooting at 47.1% and 42.8% from beyond the arc. Performance trends show peaks in scoring efficiency during the mid-2010s and early 2020s, including 13.0 PPG in Spain's Primera FEB (2013–14) and 11.9 PPG across 66 games for (2017–18), followed by a high of 13.1 PPG in the 2020–21 season split between Žalgiris leagues. Dips occurred post-2021, with 9.1 PPG in 76 games for Panathinaikos (2023–24) amid reduced minutes and injury impacts, though three-point accuracy held above 40% in most seasons. A verifiable career high of 39 was set in youth competition on July 2, 2013.
CompetitionGamesPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%FT%
1709.52.11.950.4%42.9%90.6%
EuroCup1611.63.12.641.7%47.5%89.7%
Domestic (select highs)Varies13.1 (2020–21 peak)2.8 (2017–18)3.4 (2020–21)50.2%46.2%92.6%
In secondary European leagues like the and domestic circuits (e.g., LKL, GBL), outputs hovered at 10–12 PPG with similar rebound and assist rates, underscoring versatility as a perimeter scorer but limited rebounding impact. Early career metrics in lower divisions, such as 13.0 PPG at 48.8% from three in 2013–14, highlight foundational shooting prowess before EuroLeague integration.

Challenges and controversies

Injuries and recovery

During his tenure with CSKA Moscow, Grigonis experienced recurring minor back issues that periodically impacted his availability. In October 2021, he was sidelined due to back problems, missing key EuroLeague matchups including against Crvena Zvezda, while undergoing rehabilitation and individual training. Similar back discomfort persisted into November 2021, though he returned for limited contributions in games such as against Bayern Munich. These episodes, common among perimeter players from the physical demands of defensive assignments and court coverage, resulted in short-term absences but did not require surgery. Upon joining Panathinaikos in 2023, Grigonis encountered a brief injury from December 15 to 19, 2023, limiting him to minimal downtime. A muscle followed on October 24, 2024, but the primary setback emerged as chronic back spasms during the 2024-25 season, restricting him to just eight games across all competitions before December. His last appearance was on October 17, 2024, against Real Madrid, after which escalating lower back pain led to extended absence. Grigonis underwent lower back on December 19, 2024, following failed conservative treatments, yet symptoms lingered through months of rehabilitation. In June 2025, persistent issues prompted a two-week specialized program in , , followed by additional therapy in , focusing on strengthening and mobility. He resumed individual workouts by August 2025 and gradually reintegrated into team activities. Full recovery culminated in his return to competitive play on October 1, 2025, after a 344-day —the longest of his —initially in a limited role to rebuild match fitness. This prolonged absence highlighted the risks of degenerative back conditions in high-intensity , where cumulative stress from shooting mechanics and physical play contributes to such vulnerabilities, though Grigonis avoided permanent impairment through structured medical intervention.

Geopolitical aspects of club choices

Grigonis signed a three-year contract with on June 12, 2021, securing participation in the and , leagues known for competitive depth and salaries often exceeding €1 million annually for top guards. At the time, Russia's basketball infrastructure attracted numerous Eastern European talents, including Lithuanians, due to meritocratic selection and development opportunities unavailable in smaller domestic markets like 's LKL. This choice aligned with patterns of player mobility, where contractual incentives and playing time outweighed preexisting bilateral tensions between —a and EU member with historical resistance to Russian influence—and . The decision drew limited but notable scrutiny in Lithuanian media and public spheres, framing association with a Russian club as potentially signaling alignment amid ongoing hybrid threats like cyberattacks and border disputes. Critics advocated boycotts to express , echoing broader calls post-2014 , yet such views often conflated individual career moves with state policy endorsement, ignoring that over a dozen Lithuanian professionals competed in Russian leagues pre-2022 without forfeiting national team eligibility. Proponents of the move highlighted causal factors: CSKA's status as a perennial contender offered exposure unattainable elsewhere, with Grigonis averaging 13.9 points per game in the 2021–22 season prior to disruptions, demonstrating no immediate professional detriment. Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, prompted Grigonis to terminate his contract and leave CSKA on February 27, alongside four other foreign players, citing personal reasons tied to the escalating conflict. This mirrored exits by compatriots Mindaugas Kuzminskas from Lokomotiv Kuban and Artūras Gudaitis from Zenit Saint Petersburg, reflecting pragmatic risk assessment rather than ideological commitment. Absent sanctions from FIBA or EuroLeague—beyond the later suspension of Russian clubs—Grigonis transitioned to Valencia Basket in Spain by March 2022, preserving career continuity without geopolitical repercussions. In retrospect, he described his CSKA experience positively until the invasion, underscoring how pre-conflict professional gains decoupled from post hoc political narratives. Such cases exemplify athletes' agency in high-stakes environments, where economic and competitive imperatives drive choices, often resilient to exogenous shocks like interstate conflicts, as evidenced by sustained Eastern European participation in global sports circuits irrespective of host governance.

References

  1. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/
  2. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/183013-marius-grigonis
  3. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/37819/marius-grigonis
  4. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Marius-Grigonis/187739
  5. https://cskabasket.ru/en/team/player/6866/
  6. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marius-grigonis/profile/002328/
  7. https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Marius-Grigonis/Summary/26547
  8. http://www.olympedia.org/athletes/135039
  9. https://mediacentre.euroleague.net/mediacentre/en/press_releases/single/1403/no?app=2
  10. https://zalgiris.lt/en/komandos-istorija
  11. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/
  12. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/cska-lands-scoring-ace-grigonis/
  13. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/profile/002328/
  14. https://www.paobc.gr/en/103167_panathinaikos-adds-grigonis/
  15. https://www.acb.com/jugador/ver/20211321-Marius-Grigonis
  16. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/canarias/2017.html
  17. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marius-grigonis/records/002328/
  18. https://archyvas.zalgiris.lt/en/news/bc-zalgiris/74018/
  19. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1217332/marius-grigonis-joins-cska/
  20. https://cskabasket.ru/en/news/n/20210611-grigonis/
  21. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/team/581/cska-moscow/2021
  22. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/profile/002328/
  23. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1314141/cska-confirms-departures-of-shengelia-voigtmann-grigonis-and-lundberg/
  24. https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2021/05/19/for-one-nation-battling-russian-influence-the-olympics-arent-just-games
  25. https://basketnews.com/news-175148-marius-grigonis-joins-panathinaikos.html
  26. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/marius-grigonis-panathinaikos-bc-together-until-2027/
  27. https://basketnews.com/news-232150-marius-grigonis-reflects-on-comeback-story-valanciunas-pao-saga.html
  28. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1755173/marius-grigonis-to-have-surgery-panathinaikos-euroleague/
  29. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1874869/marius-grigonis-talks-return-panathinaikos-euroleague/
  30. https://basketnews.com/players/6826-marius-grigonis.html
  31. https://basketball.realgm.com/national/countries/12/Lithuania/stats/2012/10/U18-Euro-Championship-A
  32. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/276-fiba-u19-basketball-world-cup/7488/players/183013-marius-grigonis
  33. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/marius-grigonis-1.html
  34. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/mens-olympics/2016.html
  35. https://basketnews.com/news-204412-marius-grigonis-confirms-signing-new-deal-with-pao-explains-his-decision.html
  36. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2425-rs16-game-facts-pan-mil/
  37. https://3stepsbasket.com/player/marius-grigonis/advanced?season=euroleague-2025
  38. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1121891/mirotic-grigonis-share-euroleague-mvp-of-the-week-award/
  39. https://cskabasket.ru/en/news/n/2021-10-15-cska-crvena-zvezda-preview/
  40. https://basketnews.com/news-157483-grigonis-also-out-for-cska-ahead-of-anadolu-efes-game.html
  41. https://www.flashscore.com/player/grigonis-marius/r50lEpoo/injury-history/
  42. https://basketnews.com/news-230149-marius-grigonis-injury-update-back-for-euroleague-season.html
  43. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/injury-report-round-32-tae2425/
  44. https://basketnews.com/news-226235-marius-grigonis-update-back-problems-persist-despite-surgery-and-months-of-rehab.html
  45. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1739415/marius-grigonis-to-miss-at-least-one-to-one-and-a-half-months-panathinaikos-euroleague/
  46. https://vtb-league.com/en/news/marius-grigonis-joins-cska/
  47. https://basketnews.com/news-166942-grigonis-kuzminskas-gudaitis-and-maksvytis-decided-to-leave-russian-teams.html
  48. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/5-cska-moscow-players-leave-team-for-war-between-russia-ukraine/2518369
  49. https://basketnews.com/news-175572-marius-grigonis-everything-was-very-good-until-the-war-broke-out.html
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