Modestas Paulauskas

Modestas Paulauskas
Paulauskas in 1970, as a member of the USSR national team
Personal information
Born (1945-03-19) 19 March 1945
Kretinga, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityLithuanian
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
Playing career1962–1976
PositionSmall forward
Number5
Coaching career1977–1998
Career history
As a player:
1962–1976Žalgiris Kaunas
As a coach:
1991–1992Žalgiris Kaunas
1997–1998Statyba-Lietuvos rytas Vilnius
Career highlights
As a player:
FIBA Hall of Fame
Medals
Representing the  Soviet Union
Summer Olympic Games
1972 MunichTeam
1968 Mexico CityTeam
FIBA World Cup
1967 UruguayTeam
1974 Puerto RicoTeam
1970 YugoslaviaTeam
FIBA Eurobasket
1965 Soviet UnionTeam
1967 FinlandTeam
1969 ItalyTeam
1971 West GermanyTeam
1973 SpainTeam
Summer Universiade
1970 TurinTeam
1965 BudapestTeam
European Championship for Juniors
1964 ItalyUnder-20

Modestas Paulauskas (19 March 1945) is a former Lithuanian professional basketball coach and basketball player.

As a player, he was the youngest EuroBasket MVP in history, being only 20 years old at the time he won the award. He is known for having been one of the best Lithuanian basketball players of all time, and for having excellent dribbling ability. He was selected as the Lithuanian Sportsman of the Year, a record seven times, in 1965–1967, and 1969–1972. He was a member of the Soviet team that achieved Olympic Gold in 1972 in Munich.

In 1991, he was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players.

In 2021, he was included into the FIBA Hall of Fame.