Lithuanian talents.

[LuDux]

First two don't count because kids from all over the world go to NCAA. But Rubstavicius to Australia is a strange case if it is true.

Not that strange
How NBL went from NBA graveyard to nursery | FOX SPORTS

[Straight forward]

Interesting. That probably means that his ambitions are serious about NBA. Not sure it's the right move though. Will he be more unleashed than in Lietkabelis? Unlikely. But this is one of the trendy ways to NBA these days. The attention will be there in that case.

[Straight forward]

Not that strange
How NBL went from NBA graveyard to nursery | FOX SPORTS

Checked previous "next stars" playing minutes for NZ Brakers. RJ Hampton (24 pick) played 20mpg, Ousmane Dieng 20mpg (11pick), Rayan Rupert 17mpg (projected to be 19 pick this summer).
However all these guys were younger, around 19. Maybe that's a factor and Rubstavicius will be ready to play even more. I would love to see unleashed for 25mpg.


If the Breakers did bring in the Lithuanian sharpshooter it would be a pivot for the Auckland-based club who have had two French players and an American as their three previous Next Stars.

In 2019-20 the Breakers brought in US prospect RJ Hampton as part of the programme, and he was subsequently drafted at 24 and traded to the Denver Nuggets. He is currently contracted to the Detroit Pistons.

In 2021-22 France’s Ousmane Dieng played for the Breakers as a Next Star, and was drafted at No 11 (via trade) by the Oklahoma City Thunder; and this past season compatriot Rayan Rupert lined up under the programme and is projected to be picked around 19 in the upcoming NBA Draft.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300896593/nz-breakers-close-in-on-lithuanias-mantas-rubstavicius-for-next-star-spot--report

PS: Rubstvaicius is very close to become a beast at PROs already. He had a strong game yesterday, Canak sometimes still keeps him under short leash. Here he's cooking Zalgiris. We likely are talking about one more year basically, IMO. He'll be pretty good after it, IMO. I can see him being among NT candidates of 2024 and definitely making the team in 2025:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsvcE6LAQRq/?hl=en

[Shawshank]

Rubstavicius thats what i call real young tallent,not theoritical dinosour experts tallent


Murauskas is out of Lietkabelis rotation when Rubstavicius is in game ending rotation


From Rubstavicius we can expect big things in few years. With those long hands he will be could defender too


Like watching young Jokubaitis it was clear he will be something,watching Rubstavicius i have same feeling.There is some special energy in those special kids its hard to explain.

I didnt feel same energy watching neither Murauskas,neither Marciulionis,neither Sirvydis and so on

[Straight forward]

Rubstavicius thats what i call real young tallent,not theoritical dinosour experts tallent

LOL! Well at least you got it with Rubstavicius. You usually a little bit slow with these things. When I said very early that Jokubaitis will be in the NT radar soon, you still didn't see that.

You underrate Murauskas though. He has it, believe me. He by no means lesser talent than Rubstavicius. I would rank them more or less in the same tier. Both can be starters for the NT one day (true starters - such as Siska, Stombergas were, not necessary as good as these, but you get the point). Mind that Murauskas is 19yo and Rubstavicius 21yo. Murauskas will be a big player in Europe at least. You can trust me on that.

As for Sirvydis, his development has been slightly disappointing. He is one of these prospects who seems better being 17-19yo than 20-23yo. Being 18yo he looked to be having much more guard skill. But I have no doubt he can be very strong role player of NT. Those who think Sirvydis is done have no idea. He will be Euroleague's player. But I have Sirvydis in lower tier than Rubstavicius, Murauskas. Sirvydis likely will be something like Jasaitis (more offensively minded). Jasaitis was dropping 12.5ppg in 2009, 9ppg in 2008, and 9ppg in 2011. Very good role player, specially knowing his solid D. Sirvydis won't be as good defensively, but he will bring more versatility offensively than Jasaitis.

[Straight forward]

No Buzelis, but the hell will get loose with Murauskas, Lelevicius, Krivas + Sargiunas, Mockus, Kublickas as U20 roster projects. No-body ain't no stopping that trio. Gonna be cooking as hell. Gold medal or choke.

Sargiunas alone will fix the problem of U18 team. He's strong PG enough. Kublickas improved too. But most importantly Lelevicius can play at 1 at this level and he will.

https://twitter.com/dogtheballer/status/1664971158842753024/photo/1

[Toruko]

No Buzelis, but the hell will get loose with Murauskas, Lelevicius, Krivas + Sargiunas, Mockus, Kublickas as U20 roster projects. No-body ain't no stopping that trio. Gonna be cooking as hell. Gold medal or choke.

Sargiunas alone will fix the problem of U18 team. He's strong PG enough. Kublickas improved too. But most importantly Lelevicius can play at 1 at this level and he will.

https://twitter.com/dogtheballer/sta...753024/photo/1

Well, we have the roster to stop them as you know

[Straight forward]

Well, we have the roster to stop them as you know

Which pieces? Most of guys will play for U19.

[Toruko]

Which pieces? Most of guys will play for U19.

And also for U20. It will be the team that beat Lithuania last summer + Derin Saran.

[Straight forward]

And also for U20. It will be the team that beat Lithuania last summer + Derin Saran.

Derin Saran is more projected for U19, only time will tell if he's transcendent prospect enough to suit with U20 also.

I'm not saying there won't be opposition. Spain last summer won almost everything except U16 (That's LTUs soil ). Nunez and Co. might be big too. Turkey won that game, but with huge choke of Lithuanian ball handlers. Now having such a dominant true perimeter player as Lelevicius and really solid PG Sargiunas is a game changer. I think that will give even better environment for Murauskas and Krivas to thrive. In U18 Murauskas was forced to create for himself a little bit too much. Now LTU will have facilitors. Anyway, Lelevicius and Murauskas going ISO to me soiunds hardcore at this stage People will see how good Lelevicius is.

[Toruko]

Derin Saran is more projected for U19, only time will tell if he's transcendent prospect enough to suit with U20 also.

I'm not saying there won't be opposition. Spain last summer won almost everything except U16 (That's LTUs soil ). Nunez and Co. might be big too. Turkey won that game, but with huge choke of Lithuanian ball handlers. Now having such a dominant true perimeter player as Lelevicius and really solid PG Sargiunas is a game changer. I think that will give even better environment for Murauskas and Krivas to thrive. In U18 Murauskas was forced to create for himself a little bit too much. Now LTU will have facilitors. Anyway, Lelevicius and Murauskas going ISO to me soiunds hardcore at this stage People will see how good Lelevicius is.

Spain will be very strong again, thats true and I believe that this LTU team will be stronger than the last one but every team gets better in time and nobody can predict what the outcome is going to be. From my limited knowledge about these guys Murauskas had very little time with small roles with Lietkabelis. I also had the chance to watch him in the Eurocup. I cant rely call him a respectable player atm. He is still a prospect. Krivas on the other hand played in the second division when the season started.

But on the other hand there are many 2004 born guys who had solid roles as 2004 born player. Nunez with Ulm, Buyuktuncel with Tofas, Bilal Coulibaly with the Metropolians. I can tell you that many Turkish 2004 born players had a bigger role in the far stronger Turkish BSL than most the Lithuanian guys. Nevertheless the LTU team looks strong but its far too optimistic to count on a medal.

And nobody called Derin Saran a transcendent prospect. The U18 team were just lacking to stretch the floor with a good shooter and a play maker and Derin is a good one.

[Straight forward]

Murauskas was top scorer of U18 and that's without point guard He started LKL season in funny fashion. In first 10 games he dominated as 18yo. Later season went up and down, but he was strictly used as stretch three who play off the ball. Murauskas in Lietkabelis and Murauskas unleash at youth level...it's day and night. Even if he's one year younger than 2003 guys (that's the age group of U20 2023), there's no single doubt he'll be barely stoppable offensively and today he's better defensively.

Medals far too optimistic? Hell no. Lithuania is easily top 3 of the tournament. Easily. By talent alone. Not even mentioning that last year our U20 wasn't all that talented, but with grinding style nearly won it all.

Lelevicius, Murauskas, Krivas > Rubstavicius, Marciulionis

I meant that we should simply see how good is Saran. I wouldn't be surprised he's very good, but we should wait and see.

[Straight forward]

Again, gold medal or choke to me. For LTU standards it's way too talented.

I will even say that this U20 is about to be much more talented than LTU was in with 1992 generation when they took the gold. Murauskas, Lelevicius, Krivas >>> Ulanovas, Cizauskas, Skucas

[Toruko]

What I was trying to tell you is that some player are clearly further than these LTU guys. You cant compare mere youth level player with serious roles in serious teams.

Well from what I have seen Spain is clearly stronger than LTU, also France. Serbia, Turkey and LTU should be on the same tier.

[Straight forward]

What I was trying to tell you is that some player are clearly further than these LTU guys. You cant compare mere youth level player with serious roles in serious teams.

Well from what I have seen Spain is clearly stronger than LTU, also France. Serbia, Turkey and LTU should be on the same tier.

You a little bit overestimate few games that you seen of Murauskas in Eurocup (he was really low key there because of the coach's vision) or thinking that Lelevicius and Krivas are mere youth players All three would be huge for mid tier LKL clubs, even among leaders. All three will be legit, you can count on that. I will only remind you that 17yo Krivas and 18yo Lelevicius were already balling well for U19 WC team 2 summers ago. They will be cooking, you can count on that.

Spain may very well be most talented. The way Nunez looking in BBL German playoffs...Dude's for real. Real NBA prospect, IMO. Nevertheless, Lithuania to me seem to be having all what it takes to go against anyone. Role players as Jocys, Sargiunas, Mockus, Kublickas are very quality too.