Šarūnas Marčiulionis is a Lithuanian basketball legend who is widely regarded as one of the greatest European players of all time. He began his professional career in his native Lithuania in 1985, playing for the Soviet Union's top basketball team, Žalgiris Kaunas. He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the Soviet Union, leading the team to three consecutive Soviet League championships.

In 1989, Marčiulionis was selected to join the Soviet National Team, and he played a key role in the team's gold medal victory at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He also helped the team to a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Marčiulionis was one of the first Soviet players to make the jump to the NBA, signing with the Golden State Warriors in 1989. He played four seasons with the Warriors, averaging 13.9 points per game and becoming the first European-born player to be named an NBA All-Star in 1993.

In 1995, Marčiulionis returned to Europe, signing with the Italian team Olimpia Milano. He helped the team to the Italian League championship in 1997, and was named the league's MVP.

Marčiulionis was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, becoming the first player from the former Soviet Union to be inducted. He is also a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame, and was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.

Marčiulionis' career was marked by his ability to bridge the gap between European and American basketball, and his legacy as one of the greatest European players of all time is secure.

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