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In 1944 best basketball players from Kaunas united into one team which was named "Žalgiris" shortly after that. From the beginning "Žalgiris" starts fighting for the first places in the Soviet Union's championship. Just three years later "Žalgiris" climbs on top of all teams and wins the first championship in 1947. Till 1990 "Žalgiris" have won gold medals five times (1947, 1951, 1985-1987), silver medals - seven times (1949, 1952, 1980, 1983-1984, 1988-1989) and bronze medals - six times (1953-1956, 1973 and 1978).

From 1944 many great basketball stars played for "Žalgiris" - S.Butautas, V.Kulakauskas, J.Lagunavicius, K.Petkevicius, V.Sercevicius, S.Stonkus, A.Linkevicius, M.Paulauskas, V.Chomicius, A.Sabonis, R.Kurtinaitis, S.Jovaisa, G.Einikis, A.Visockas and others.

In 1981 new chapter begins in the team's history - for the first time "Žalgiris" participates in European Cups Winners Cup and reaches quarterfinals.

More successful was another try to enter European basketball elite - in 1985 "Žalgiris" comes all the way to the final and loses the decisive game to "Barcelona".

Next year was probably the best ever. This time "Žalgiris" fights through the best European Clubs Champions and makes to the Finals. After stubborn fight Kaunas team loses the game to "Cibona". But revenge was yet to come - "Žalgiris" reckoned to "Cibona" in great fashion by beating them in Intercontinental W.Jones Cup, an unofficial world clubs championship. The beautiful W.Jones Cup was brought to Kaunas. This victory makes "Žalgiris" famous all over the world.

In the beggining of 80's "Žalgiris" threw a challenge to "champion forever" - Moscow CSKA. Three times in a row (1985-1987) "Žalgiris" takes the gold medals of the Soviet Union ending the CSKA dynasty.

Team's stars became the leaders in the Soviet Union National Team. A.Sabonis, V.Chomicius and R.Kurtinaitis won World Championship's silver in 1986 and Olympic gold in 1988 Seoul.

In 1989 European Cup Winners Cup "Žalgiris" reached semifinals. After that season the brightest stars - A.Sabonis, S.Jovaisa, G.Krapikas, V.Chomicius, A.Visockas, A.Brazys - left to clubs in Europe and young players had to step up to fill the hole.

In 1990 Lithuania declares its Independence from the USSR and "Žalgiris" leaves the Soviet Union championship. In Lithuania Kaunas club wins three championships without big efforts. It is obvious that to become a good team "Žalgiris" needs stronger competition.

In 1992 "Žalgiris" beat clubs from Russia, Estonia, Ukraine and Byelorussia and took "Profbasket Cup". Three members (G.Einikis, A.Visockas and R.Brazdauskis) were in the Lithuanian National Team which won bronze medals in the Summer Olympic Games '92 in Barcelona.

1993 was the year when 10 best Lithuanian basketball clubs established the first professional league in the country - LKL. In 1993-98 seasons "Žalgiris" won all five LKL championship titles.

In 1997/98 season "Žalgiris" not only continued to dominate in Lithuania, but also granted a spot in the EuroLeague among the best European basketball clubs. The goal - EuroLeague - is achieved. In 1998 "Žalgiris" wrote in the history of Lithuanian basketball in golden letters: "Žalgiris" is the winner of the EuroCup.

1998/99 debutants of the Euroleague - "Žalgiris" - have made a good showing in I preliminary round. "Žalgiris" won 8 victories and headed its group. "Žalgiris" playing in EuroLeague II preliminary round is successful too. Its 11th victory secured them the first place in group, which guaranteed the home court advantage in EuroLeague play-off matches. All play-off matches were won easily enough. And the incredible success in Final Four - we became the winners of the EuroLeague!

Zalgiris team won Euroleague champions title and both LKL and NEBL championships.
Zalgiris became LKL champions 8 times in 10 championships that were held (1994-1999, 2001, 2003, 2004).

Now it may be said with confidence that "Žalgiris" has firmly entered into the list of the best European teams and is going to head it for a long time.

Trophy Case: NATIONAL LEAGUE - NATIONAL CUP - EUROPEAN CUPS

USSR National Championship: 1946-47, 1950-51, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87.

Lithuanian National Championship: 1949-50, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95,1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05.

NEBL: 1999.

SEB BBL: 2005.

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