Lithuania shortens its roster by cutting Zalgiris' center / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

With the EuroBasket preparation cycle gaining momentum, Lithuania announced the departure of a big man.

Laurynas Birutis of Zalgiris Kaunas is set to leave the national team following four friendly games. As stated by coach Kazys Maksvytis, Birutis has a similar profile to Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, therefore the specialist needs different type of player.

The Lithuanian national team is now cut down to 15 players. Their next preparation matches are scheduled for August 16 and 18 against Spain. The Netherlands is the last opponent in the cycle.

After friendly games, Lithuania will face Hungary (August 24) and Montenegro (August 27) in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Second Round.

Behind August's FIBA window, the focus then switches to EuroBasket 2022 for the start of September.

Lithuania will be based in Cologne for the initial group phase as they face France, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and the hosts, Germany, from September 1 to 7.

Remaining 15-man roster:

Arnas Butkevicius, Zalgiris Kaunas Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings Eigirdas Zukauskas, BC Wolves Donatas Tarolis, CSM CSU Oradea Gytis Masiulis, Rytas Vilnius Ignas Brazdeikis, Zalgiris Kaunas Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans Kristupas Zemaitis, BC Wolves Lukas Lekavicius, Zalgiris Kaunas Marius Grigonis, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens Martynas Echodas, Rytas Vilnius Mindaugas Kuzminskas, free agent Rokas Giedraitis, Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz Rokas Jokubaitis, FC Barcelona Tomas Dimsa, Zalgiris Kaunas Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.