Rusne Augustinaite, a 22-year-old junior guard at Clemson who grew up in Lithuania, was left speechless when her teammates arranged an emotional reunion.
Augustinaite hadn’t seen her mother at a game in seven years. Quietly and carefully, teammates planned a birthday surprise to bring her mom to campus. Video of the moment shows Augustinaite walking into a room, stopping in stunned silence as friends and guests shout “Surprise!” and “Happy birthday!” The scene quickly fills with hugs and tears when her mother steps forward.
“I’m still shaking. No way!” Augustinaite says in the footage. She later described how grateful she is for the family atmosphere the team created. Teammates said they organized the visit because they knew how much it would mean for her to have her mother at games and to celebrate together after so many years apart.
The surprise turned a routine team gathering into a memorable homecoming: cheers, emotional embraces and a crowd clustered around to welcome both player and parent. Coaches and teammates praised the gesture, noting how meaningful it is for a player far from home to reunite with a loved one.
Augustinaite reflected that the visit made her “so, so grateful,” and that seeing her mother during the season meant everything after years away. The video closes on birthday hugs and celebratory shouts, capturing the relief and joy of a long-awaited reunion.