By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After missing last year’s 2023 FIBA World Cup, Domantas Sabonis is ready to come back representing the Lithuanian national team this summer on the road to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
As announced by head coach Kazys Maksvytis in today’s press conference, fully reported by 15min.lt, both he and Jonas Valanciunas will be available. “They had a tough season, a marathon of tough games. I talked with both of them, and they even asked for preparation plans. We have received a firm yes from them”, the former Zalgiris Kaunas’ coach said, confirming their participation.
The Lithuanian national team will play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico from 2-7 July, facing Ivory Coast and Mexico in Group A; in Group B, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Bahrain will fight to advance to the final stage for a ticket to Paris.
During the press conference, Lithuania’s head coach also talked about draft prospect Matas Buzelis. “Matas [Buzelis] is ready to participate already this year. We hope he will. It will be very interesting how this situation will turn out if he’s drafted. Will his next team let him play with the national team? Victor Wembanyama did not play with the French national team last year”, he affirmed.
Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas last played together at FIBA EuroBasket 2022, when Lithuania was eliminated by then-champions Spain in the Eight-Finals. The New Orleans Pelicans center had 16.2 points and 10.5 rebounds, while his countryman averaged 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. They won’t play anymore with their clubs, both eliminated from Playoffs contention.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA EuroBasket 2022