Māris Gulbis, a seasoned Latvian basketball player, has made a return to VEF Rīga, a prominent basketball championship team in Latvia. At 40 years old, Gulbis rejoined VEF Rīga after spending the last four seasons with the team, where he also took on the role of head coach for the development team RSU/VEF Rīga. The decision comes as the team faces an unusual number of injuries, with Gulbis having participated in training sessions for the last two months, proving he is still in good physical condition to play at a competitive level.

The club's president, Gatis Jahovičs, noted that Gulbis's character and determination were significant factors in their decision to bring him back. The coaching staff observed not only his involvement in training but also the need for additional players to manage the team’s injury situation. As the team strategized on how to strengthen their lineup for the remainder of the season, adding Gulbis presented an opportunity to enhance their competitive strength while benefiting from his extensive experience.

Before rejoining VEF Rīga, Gulbis spent the major part of his career with BC Ventspils and had stints with the Lithuanian team Šiauliai and the Portuguese club Vitória de Guimarães. With his rich experience and leadership skills, his return is anticipated to contribute positively to VEF Rīga's goal of maintaining their status as a top team in the league, especially in a challenging season marked by player injuries.