Just under a month before the first match in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers, head coach Kazys Maksvytis presented an extended list of the Lithuanian men's basketball team, which includes 32 basketball players.
"The list is long because we did not want to miss a single player that could suit the Lithuanian national team. Another thing is that there is still time to make an abbreviated list.
We will take into account the shape of the players, perhaps injury will stop someone. Now we have made the list bigger, I think that there was no hard work here, the more difficult task will be to select a shorter list or even the final twelve," commented Maksvytis.
Edgaras Ulanovas, Lukas Lekavicius, and Marek Blazevic, who represent Zalgiris Kaunas, are also included in the extended list of the Lithuanian men's national team. The coaching staff expects to have them in their disposition against the Czech Republic (second match of the window).
Zalgiris Kaunas will face FC Barcelona on November 26 (on the same day, the Lithuanian national team will start the European Qualifiers versus Bulgaria), but the next upcoming match will be waiting for Kaunas club only on December 2. They will meet Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at home.
"We have added them (Zalgiris players) to the extended list. As head coach, I would like to see them at least in the second match because the schedule does not collide.
However, now the Zalgiris situation is not the easiest. We included only EuroLeague players competing in Lithuania because it is more possible to coordinate it," said Kazys Maksvytis.
Lithuanian national team veteran and captain Mantas Kalnietis did not appear on the extended list.
"So far, this has been our (coaches') decision. This list is formed for the first window," Maksvytis described the situation.
On November 26, Lithuania will play at home against Bulgaria, and on November 29, Lithuania will meet the Czech Republic on the road.
All candidates
Arnas Butkevicius - Rytas Vilnius
Arnas Velicka - Napoli Basket
Deividas Gailius - Neptunas Klaipeda
Donatas Tarolis - Afyon Belediye
Dovis Bickauskis - CSM Oradea
Dovydas Giedraitis - Lietkabelis Panevezys
Edgaras Ulanovas - Zalgiris Kaunas
Eigirdas Zukauskas - Parma Basket
Eimantas Bendzius - Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari
Gytis Masiulis - Bilbao Basket
Gytis Radzevicius - Rytas Vilnius
Ignas Sargiunas - Labas GAS Prienai
Kristupas Zemaitis - Lietkabelis Panevezys
Laurynas Beliauskas - Monbus Obradoiro
Laurynas Birutis - Monbus Obradoiro
Lukas Lekavicius - Zalgiris Kaunas
Marek Blazevic - Zalgiris Kaunas
Margiris Normantas - Rytas Vilnius
Martinas Geben - Brose Bamberg
Martynas Echodas - Umana Reyer Venice
Martynas Sajus - Medi Bayreuth
Matas Jogela - Neptunas Klaipeda
Mindaugas Girdziunas - Rytas Vilnius
Osvaldas Olisevicius - Unahotels Reggio Emilia
Paulius Valinskas - Okapi Aalst
Regimantas Miniotas - Bilbao Basket
Sarunas Vasiliauskas - CSO Voluntari
Tomas Dimsa - NutriBullet Treviso
Vaidas Kariniauskas - Rytas Vilnius
Vytenis Cizauskas - Nevezis-Optibet
Zygimantas Janavicius - Neptunas Klaipeda
Zygimantas Skucas - Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys
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