Lithuania will be strengthened by NBA stars Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas in the Olympic Games qualifiers in Puerto Rico.
The two biggest stars of the Lithuanian national team, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, will represent their country this summer.
Lithuania’s head coach Kazys Maksvytis confirmed this news at a press conference.
“Both of them had a tough season. I’ve contacted both of them. They’ve already inquired about our preparation plans, and the federation is coordinating all the insurance conditions. They have strongly expressed their ‘yes,'” said Kazys Maksvytis.
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Domantas Sabonis missed the playoffs
Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings missed the playoffs this season, while Valanciunas’ New Orleans Pelicans were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 82 regular-season games, while Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds and also appeared in every game.
Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas last played together at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, where Lithuania was eliminated by the eventual champion Spain in the round of 16.
The Lithuanian national team will compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico from July 2nd to 7th, facing Ivory Coast and Mexico in Group A. In Group B, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Bahrain will battle for a spot in the final stage for a ticket to Paris.
