By Lukas Kucinskas
This team was a step away from gold twice and this year has as good roster as never. What team it is? It is Lithuanian under-19 national team. Lithuanians born in 1994 had two successful championships at two different age categories – under-16 and under-18. Both times, however, Lithuanian squad was beaten in the finals by Croatia led by superstar Dario Saric (’94)
Right now squad of Lithuanian 1994 generation is preparing for FIBA U-19 World Championship, which this year are held in Prague, Czech Republic. In group B Lithuania will face the home team Czech Republic, Argentina and Iran. Goals are as high as usual, but the team has changed. Due to personal issues coach Arunas Visockas decided to leave the national team and Tomas Masiulis, who is in charge of Zalgiris-2 Kaunas team, took his place.
You can be sure that coach is well aware of abilities of such players like Marius Grigonis (’94), Tomas Dimsa (’94) , Justas Tamulis (’94), Lukas Lekavicius (’94), because they all have been playing for Zalgiris-2 last season. The best players of the team – Dimsa and Grigonis – finished last season in the senior Zalgiris Kaunas team. It is anticipated that both will be included in team’s roster for the next season as well.
All 2012 FIBA European U-18 championship’s silver winners made it to the preliminary roster, however coach Masiulis has some new faces in his team. Besides well-known players, there are Donatas Tarolis (’94), Martinas Gebenas (’94) and finally recovered Dimsa. The first one with 13.5 points per game was the top scorer of Gargzdai – Bremena team, that competed in NKL league.
Meanwhile Martinas Gebenas has been playing high school basketball in the USA. The big man, who can play center and power forward positions, is highly intriguing player for American colleges. According to rivals.com, he has offers from Maryland, Notre Dame, Villanova, Virginia and many other well known schools.
Some notes:
- Jokubas Gintvainis ('94) had terrific experience in LKL playing for Sakalai Vilnius. It was anticipated that 191 cm tall guard, who averaged 8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in LKL league, will be the main playmaker in the team. However, he has not been very productive and made low percentage of his shots. Interesting that in 2012 European championship he usually did not have to play the point guard position.
- Augustinas Jankaitis ('94), who has been considered pretty talented, might have a smaller role. The big man hasn’t progressed much and he did not find his place in both NKL teams that he played for. And there are other talented big men on the roster, so it is hard to predict what of role he would have in the team.
- Denis Krestinin ('94) had a season full of ups and downs. 200 cm tall athletic power forward set LKL record in rebounds when he managed to get 26. 9 of them he was able to grab in the offense. Besides that he scored 17 points. The height might be the problem for him in senior basketball, but right now he is making the best use of his speed and athletism.
Friendly games:
Lithuania - Australia 56:72
Lithuania - Australia 83:81
Lithuania - Australia 71:68
Lithuania - Ukraine U20: 92:53
Lithuania - Ukraine U20: 95:62
Lithuania - Russia U20: 67:76
Lithuania - Russia U20: 79:69
Final roster: Lukas Lekavicius, Jokubas Gintvainis, Mantvydas Staselis, Tomas Dimsa, Justas Tamulis, Simas Raupys, Marius Grigonis, Denisas Krestininas, Donatas Tarolis, Augustinas Jankaitis, Rokas Gustys, Martinas Gebenas
