Lithuania announces extended list of candidates for FIBA World Cup 2023

The Lithuanian national team has unveiled its extended list of candidates as they begin their preparations for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023. Head coach Kazys Maksvytis announced the list alongside the commencement of the team’s first training camp phase.

“We believe that we have assembled a strong roster capable of competing for the highest goals. Although we may have fewer star players, our collective discipline and desire will enable us to achieve our objectives,” said Maksvytis. Three-time NBA All-Star is the most notable absentee from the team.

He also mentioned that Jonas Valanciunas will join the team at a later date due to NBA regulations. Additionally, 3-4 players from the reserve team will supplement the camp. Ignas Brazdeikis will be joining the team a week later, and the availability of Azuolas Tubelis, depending on his NBA commitments, remains uncertain until July 28.

Prior to the World Cup, scheduled to commence on August 25, the Lithuanian will play 10 exhibition games. These matches include Jordan (July 22 and 24) in Alytus, Ukraine (July 29) in Panevezys, Georgia (August 1) in Kaunas, Finland (August 4 and 14) in Tampere and Klaipeda, France (August 9 and 11) in Orleans and Vilnius, Puerto Rico and Latvia (August 19 and 22) in New Taipei City.

The full list of candidates for the Lithuanian national team includes:

1. Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans)
2. Eigirdas Zukauskas (Wolves Vilnius)
3. Rokas Jokubaitis (Barcelona)
4. Vaidas Kariniauskas (M Basket Mazeikiai)
5. Donatas Motiejunas (AS Monaco)
6. Tadas Sedekerskis (Baskonia)
7. Eimantas Bendzius (Banco di Sardegna Sassari)
8. Mindaugas Kuzminskas (Pinar Karsiyaka)
9. Margiris Normantas (Rytas Vilnius)
10. Martynas Sajus (Buyukcekmece)
11. Ignas Brazdeikis (Zalgiris)
12. Gytis Radzevicius (Rytas Vilnius)
13. Tomas Dimsa (Zalgiris)
14. Donatas Tarolis (Oradea CSM)
15. Laurynas Birutis (Zalgiris)
16. Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona Wildcats)
17. Augustas Marciulionis (Saint Mary’s)
18. Einaras Tubutis (Frankfurt Skyliners)
19. Deividas Sirvydis (Wisconsin Herd)
20. Ignas Sargiunas (Medi Bayer)
21. Oskaras Pleikys (Neptunas)
22. Gytis Nemeiksa (Zalgiris-2)
23. Matas Jogela (Neptunas)
24. Danielius Lavrinovicius (Zalgiris)
25. Gabrielius Maldunas (Lietkabelis)
26. Dovydas Giedraitis (Zalgiris)
27. Laurynas Beliauskas (Frankfurt Skyliners)
28. Jonas Paukste (Neptunas-Akvaservis)
29. Sarunas Valunta (Olimpas)
30. Tautvydas BaltruSaitis (LTU U20 national team)
31. Mantas Litvinas (Olimpas)
32. Tadas Budrys (Olimpas)
33. Modestas Paulauskas

Lithuania will start the tournament in Group D alongside Engypt, Mexico and Montenegro.