Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas to play for Lithuania in OQT / News - Basketnews.com

Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas confirm their commitment to represent Lithuania ahead of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

Credit: IMAGO/Beautiful Sports - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/Beautiful Sports - Scanpix

Two biggest Lithuanian national team stars -- Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and New Orleans Pelicans big man Jonas Valanciunas -- will be suiting up for their country this summer.

Points this season

43%71,0Points made:71,0Accuracy:43,5%Place in standings:6Record max:83Record min:59Best scorer:Edgaras UlanovasTeamEuroBasket QStatisticsSchedule

The Lithuanian NT head coach, Kazys Maksvytis, confirmed their commitment during the press conference held on Tuesday morning.

"They both had a difficult season. I reached out to both of them. They have already asked for our preparation plans, and the federation is coordinating all insurance conditions. They expressed a strong 'yes,'" Maksvytis assured.

Sabonis and the Kings did not enter the playoffs this season, while Vaalnciunas' Pelicans were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-round sweep on Monday night.

Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, a league-leading 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 82 regular-season games. Valanciunas, meanwhile, posted averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds, also appearing in all games.

Lithuania will play in Puerto Rico's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where they will meet Mexico and Cote d'Ivoire in the group stage. The competition starts on July 2.

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