2024-06-17 15:48:54
This season, the Utenan, who performed for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaged 12.2 factors, 8.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists within the NBA.
Regardless of his strong numbers, the midfielder didn’t renew his contract with the membership and can attempt his luck within the free agent market this summer time.
Will probably be doable to signal contracts with NBA golf equipment solely from July 6, so JV determined to not threat enjoying for the Lithuanian nationwide group and selected a safer choice for his profession.
The data that J. Valančiūnas won’t play within the nationwide group was confirmed by the overall secretary of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, Mindaugas Balčiūnas.
True, the tall man will likely be with the nationwide group on a regular basis, even supposing he won’t symbolize it.
“John actually needs to play for the nationwide group, in any other case he would not be sitting right here. The insurance coverage scenario is just not an issue. The situation that these two components don’t meet is that Jonas should be wholesome in early July to signal a contract with an NBA membership. Sadly, nobody can assure that. 18-year-old Jonas Valančiūnas represented the Lithuanian nationwide group.
Jonas will likely be with the nationwide group, and its objectives don’t change. We now have a very succesful group that’s able to realizing all of the objectives we set. After Puerto Rico, J. Valančiūnas will totally be part of the nationwide group, already as a participant,” M. Balčiūnas introduced on the press convention.
“It is a pity, however this case has occurred for the primary time in my life, that I can not be a participant. I’ll undoubtedly be with the group with my spirit, recommendation, one thing else. I will likely be with you, I’ll prepare. I imagine that I’ll prepare for Paris, the Olympics. I hope that Lithuania will perceive me and we’ll do what we’ll do in Paris,” stated J. Valančiūnas.
Prolonged listing of the principle Lithuanian basketball group:
Defenders: Rokas Jokubaitis, Lukas Lekavičius, Tomas Dimša, Deividas Sirvydis, Marius Grigonis, Rokas Giedraitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas.
Forwards: Arnas Butkevičius, Edgaras Ulanovas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Đžuolas Tubelis, Eimantas Bendžius.
Midfielders: Domantas Sabonis, Donatas Motiejūnas, Laurynas Birutis.
Within the preparatory cycle, the Lithuanian basketball group will play simply two matches – on June 23 in Vilnius, they’ll face the Slovenian nationwide group, and only a few days later, the return battle will await within the metropolis of Ljubljana.
The Olympic basketball choice tournaments will likely be held on July 2-7.
– Who will you go the captain’s armband to?
– I will not go it on (ed. – laughs). We now have skilled gamers – Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Eimantas Bendziu, who was the captain of the reserve group. There are sensible guys within the group. It will not be tough.
– Maybe there are already provides from NBA groups?
– As they are saying, I did my job in the course of the season, now there will likely be talks between brokers and golf equipment. I cannot remark, I cannot single out one thing. Now could be the working yr itself. We are going to discover out every little thing in July.
– How would you charge your season?
– You’ll be able to at all times do higher, win extra. On the finish there will likely be just one group that has completed every little thing. 29 groups could have been capable of do one thing higher than they did. We’re there too.
– You might be used to at all times enjoying. How do you think about watching your nationwide group’s battles on the display?
– Perhaps the coach will settle for me to the bench, so as to add one thing, write down penalties or one thing else. I will likely be an enormous Juozuk. In fact will probably be tough.
Such a choice was not simple. It wasn’t that I awakened at some point and got here up with it. There have been all types of conversations and ideas. I hope every little thing goes nicely and the objectives come true.
I will likely be sick, I’ll assist. I may also take part in coaching. I will likely be some type of religious supporter of the group. I imagine that the plan will come true and we’ll go to the Olympics.
– You did not tease Domanto after the playoff win over the Sacramento Kings?
– I used to be teasing personally. It was an excellent combat. Sacramento actually performed good basketball, it wasn’t simple.
Perhaps we weren’t the very best opponents for them. Perhaps the opposite group is just not appropriate for us. Everybody may see that the combat was not simple.
– Which group stunned you essentially the most?
– Perhaps the Dallas Mavericks. On the finish of the season and within the playoffs, they play actually good, wonderful basketball. Clearly, Luka Doncic has turned on his playoff mode. They nonetheless have an opportunity to win the NBA.
2024-06-17 15:48:54