History

Basketball school „Tornado“ was established in 2002 in city Kaunas. There were only two coaches who were working here with 70 players in 5 groups. Today we have over 600 young basketball players, who are trained by 9 coaches. Children of "Tornado" BS not only learn various technical elements of basketball, become physically stronger, self - confidence, but also provide a solid foundation for their potential basketball player career.

Every year teams of "Tornado" BS participating in the Lithuanian Pupil's League of Basketball, Kaunas Amateur League (KKML) and in the international tournaments. By the rating of season 2014/2015 "Tornado" BS took the 6th place of 59 basketball schools/clubs all over Lithuania.

The highest achievements of MKL

#Champions

• 2017/2018 - Tornado KM - "Envija" (coach Donatas Mikulevičius) - championship of boys born in 2004 (U14);

#Vice Champions

• 2016/2017 - Tornado KM - "Envija" (coach Donatas Mikulevičius) - championship of boys born in 2004 (U13);

• 2015/2016 - Tornado KM - "Envija" (coach Donatas Mikulevičius) - championship of boys born in 2004 (U12) (boys "The first challenge");

• 2015/2016 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (U16);

• 2014/2015 - Tornado KM - "Fudo" (coach Aivaras Grigaliūnas) - championship of boys born in 2002 (boys "B");

• 2013/2014 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (boys "A");

#Bronze Medalists

• 2017/2018 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2005 (U13);

• 2017/2018 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (U18);

• 2018/2019- Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (U19);

• 2011/2012 - Tornado KM - "Nowaco" (coach Donatas Mikulevičius) - championship of boys born in 1997 (boys "B");

#FinalFour Participants

• 2016/2017 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (U17);

• 2012/2013 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (Boys „B“);

• 2012/2013 - Tornado KM - "Sostena" (coach Andrius Macijauskas) - championship of boys born in 2001 (boys "The first challenge");

• 2011/2012 - Tornado KM - "Viči" (coach Šarūnas Zablockis) - championship of boys born in 2000 (boys "The first challenge");

The players of “Tornado” BS represented our country in different ages National teams of Lithuania. Ignas Daukšys, Aurimas Urbonas, Paulius Šatkus, Pijus Mykolaitis, Karolis Šarukas, Matas Ragauskas, Valentinas Mitalauskas, Justas Klimavičius, Arnas Malakauskas, Arnas Tilindis, Jonas Šlapikas, Mantas Bruzga, Aidas Bakutis, Justinas Ramanauskas and Tautvydas Kupstas – all these players were candidates or members of National Youth Teams of Lithuania.

The members of different ages National teams of Lithuania:

► 2018/2019  – Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) Lithuanian U16 National team – Europe Championship
► 2018/2019  – Gytis Mačionis (born in 2001) Lithuanian U18 National team  – VII place Europe Championship
► 2018/2019  – Justinas Ramanauskas (born in 2000) Lithuanian U19 National team – IV place World Championship
► 2017/2018  – Matas Makauskas (born in 2002) Lithuanian U16 National team – VII place Europe Championship
► 2017/2018 – Modestas Babraitis (born in 2004) and coach Donatas Mikulevičius Lithuanian national team U15 – I place in „Baltic Cup“
► 2017/2018  – Matas Makauskas and Laurynas Virbalas (born in 2002) Lithuanian U16 National team
► 2017/2018  – Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) Lithuanian national team U15
► 2017/2018  – Gytis Mačionis (born in 2001) Lithuanian U16 National team
► 2016/2017  – Gytis Mačionis (born in 2001) Lithuanian U16 National team
► 2015/2016  – Tautvydas Kupstas (born in  2000), Nedas Kancleris (born in 2000) and coach Šarūnas Zablockis–  II place in U16 Eruopean Championship Lithuanian
► 2014/2015 – Tautvydas Kupstas (born in 2000) Lithuanian national team U15
► 2014/2015 – Aidas Bakutis (born in 1999) – II place Europe Championship
► 2013/2014 – Aurimas Urbonas (born in 1993). IV place U17 World Championship
► 2013/2014  – Karolis Šarukas (born in 1995) – V place Europe Championship

Every year, “Tornado” BS players are welcome to Euroleague adidas Next Generation Tournament selection rounds to represent Kaunas "Zalgiris" youth team. They won tour in Kaunas and went to final four in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

► 2018/2019 – Gytis Mačionis (2001), Paulius Murauskas (2004) and coach Šarūnas Zablockis represented Kaunas „Žalgiris“ team;

► 2014/2015 – Justas Klimavičius (1997) represented Kaunas „Žalgiris“ team;

► 2013/2014 – Even three basketball players of „Tornado“ BS represented Kaunas „Žalgiris“ team "Tornado" - Justas Klimavičius (1997), Matas Ragauskas (1996) and Valentinas Mitalauskas (1996 m. g.). They won tour in Kaunas and went to final four in Milan.

► 2012/2013 – Karolis Šarukas (born in 1995) represented Kaunas "Žalgiris" team;

The players of “Tornado” BS annually participate in the “All Star Day” organized by MKL. The best basketball players of all over Lithuania attend this festival. 9 players of “Tornado” BS this year also participated in this festival. At the end of the season MKL organizes season’s closing ceremony and invite the players who showed the best results.

Season 2018/2019

► Paulius Murauskas (2004 m.g.) – the most effective basketball player in U16 championship (20 games, avg EFF 27,5)

► Modestas Babraitis (2004 m.g.) – the most effective basketball player in U15 championship (24 games, avg EFF 30)

► Modestas Babraitis (2004 m.g.) – the most productive player in all league. (U15championship, 24 games, avg PTS 27)

Season 2017/2018

► Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) – the most rebounds in U14 championship (avg REB per game 18,58)

► Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) – the most blocks in U14 championship ( avg BL per game 3,29)

► Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) - the most effective basketball player in all league, playing in U15 championship (avg EFF per game 32.05)

Season 2016/2017

► Paulius Murauskas (born in 2004) – the most effective basketball player in U13 championship (24 games., avg.: 34,96 EFF ),Karolis Babušis (born in 2000) – the best three – point shooter in MKL (26 games., 42,37%, 75/177)

Season 2015/2016

► Tautvydas Kupstas (2000 m.g.) – the most assists performing basketball player (24 games., avg. 8 ASS.),

Season 2014/2015

► Tautvydas Kupstas (born in 2000) - the most assists performing basketball player (20 games, avg. 8.15 ASS.)

► Arnas Tilindė (born in 1997) - the most two points shoot making player (19 games, 71,14 perc., 106/149).

The teams of „Tornado“ BS participate in the international basketball tournaments in Lithuania and abroad. Usually our players come back home with medals. During our school history, our students already visited France, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, etc. We are also organizing two, the most massive international tournaments – Kaunas Cup in autumn and Christmas Cup in winter. Participating in the international tournaments helps our coaches to start communication with coaches from foreign teams, share their knowledge. Players also find new friends and visit new countries.

Basketball players of „Tornado“ BS have a practices not only with their coaches, but also meet with the famous Lithuanian or foreign basketball persons. Our basketball players had an opportunity to work with Jonas Mačiulis, to comunicate with Valdas Garastas,Mantas Kalnietis and Steponas Butautas. But the most memorized practice was for boys born in 2002 in year 2014. They had a workout with Goran Dragic – star of NBA. Players not only work on the court, but after practice they communicated, made pictures and took autograph from the player of Phoenix “Suns” and Slovenian National Team.

Kaunas „Žalgiris“ team, who cares about the future of young talented basketball players of Lithuania, started to work closely with “Tornado” basketball school and will work together to reach the highest goals for young basketball players. The most talented basketball players are given the opportunity to wear the Žalgiris T-shirt and defend the team's honor in the Regional Basketball League (RKL), later in the National basketball league (NKL), and perhaps in the future, in the main Žalgiris team.