TWO more elite basketball stars have signed up to a University of Worcester degree.

Robertas Javtokas and Arvydas Macijauskas are the second and third Lithuanian basketball stars to enrol on the MSc in European Basketball Coaching Science this year after Linas Kleiza signed up in January.

Thirty-year-old Javtokas is a Euroleague champion, ULEB Cup champion, participant of two summer Olympics and winner of the European championship bronze medal.

He said: “The secretary general of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, Mindaugas Balciunas, informed me about this opportunity. It intrigued me because it involved two institutions from two different countries, so each of them brings a different perspective. I figured, if I could combine playing and studying at the same time, why not do it?”

Macijauskas, also 30, is a once-feared three-point specialist nicknamed the Lithuanian Kalashnikov.

He is a European champion, Lithuanian champion, Spanish Cup winner, and participant in Euroleague Final 4.

He said: “Once people from the Lithuanian Basketball Federation alerted me to the course I was very interested. Basketball has been a huge part of my life and I intend to stay close to it after I’m done playing.

We all like doing what we’re good at, and basketball is my thing.

“Maybe coaching could be the next step in my professional career and this course will certainly give me a strong foundation.”

The course, endorsed by the Federation for International Basketball in Europe, involves teaching in both Worcester and Lithuania, taking two years to complete.

It will enable potential students, who may be coaches and players, to participate in lectures and seminars in the middle and end of the playing season, while online classes and tutorials will be available throughout the year.

The unique masters degree has been created by the University of Worcester and the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in collaboration with the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.

One of the course leaders, Mick Donovan, head of the institute of sport and exercise science at the University of Worcester, said: “We are delighted that Robertas and Arvydas have joined the course. We are attracting some topclass players who want to further their knowledge.”