Vaidas Kariniauskas reveals Team USA cap mystery and talks with Reaves / News - Basketnews.com

Before the Lithuania-Team USA game, Vaidas Kariniauskas had a special mission: to greet Austin Reaves. They exchanged gifts, and Austin gave him a Team USA cap. After a successful match, Kariniauskas put on the blue cap in the locker room, which quickly made headlines worldwide.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

Vaidas Kariniauskas found a moment of relief in the locker room after Lithuania's incredible FIBA World Cup 2023 victory against the USA. He casually donned a blue cap with the Team USA logo, unaware of the repercussions that would follow.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Vaidas Kariniauskas Points 15 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 4 Assists 2

A cameraman captured this scene, and it quickly became viral in the global media. Similar to his offensive prowess that had taken center stage during the game on Sunday, particularly when he outplayed his direct opponent, Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kariniauskas even cheekily stuck out his tongue at Reaves after scoring two points with a foul, a moment that also made waves in the sports media world. The footage from the locker room became the icing on the cake.

The backstory behind Kariniauskas wearing the Team USA cap was even more intriguing.

"Austin Reaves himself gave me that hat," Kariniauskas told BasketNews' Lukas Malinauskas with a smile.

The exchange occurred after the Lithuanian national team's presentation at the Mall of Asia arena, where they gathered for a shared slogan before heading towards the U.S. stars.

Kariniauskas was targeting a specific person -- Austin Reaves, but not because of the overlapping position on the court.

"I went to Austin because I wanted to convey wishes from his brother, Spencer, which he asked me to deliver," Kariniauskas said. "After the match, I put the cap on casually, not realizing that someone was filming me. Donatas Motiejunas came to greet me afterward, and to my surprise, I discovered that the recording was already circulating on the internet."

The connection between Kariniauskas and Spencer Reaves had formed the previous year in Germany, where they both played for Brose Bamberg. Kariniauskas initially started the season there but left in December to return to Romania.

Austin Reaves

Position:SGAge:25Height:196 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:Arkansas, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Spencer had messaged Kariniauskas before Lithuania's game against Team USA, but the outcome turned out differently from what the American had anticipated.

"I played with Austin's brother last year. So, I talked with him before the game, and he said, 'Give him a trash-talk.' I gave him a tongue," Kariniauskas amusingly explained post-game.

"Spencer probably didn't expect us to win, but it came out the way it did," Kariniauskas told BasketNews on Monday. "After the game, we exchanged messages and talked quite a bit. We shared some laughs, and he mentioned that he was also attacked by the media, who wrote to him that 'USA lost because of you.' Others laughed, but he does not take such things seriously."

Kariniauskas displayed remarkable confidence in the Second Round game against Team USA, scoring 15 points (3/5 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 3/4 FT) and ranking as the second-highest scorer in the match, following Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who dropped 35 points.

The U.S. media highlighted that Kariniauskas had outperformed almost all Team USA players on Sunday. Meanwhile, social media quickly filled with various memes, which Kariniauskas needed help understanding.

"I didn't expect all of this to boom so quickly," Kariniauskas admitted to BasketNews. "I entered the locker room, just like after any other World Cup win. Everyone started telling me to check out this and that. I didn't dwell on it, and I still don't. I'm aware it's happening, but I try to stay out of it.

"Everyone was sending memes to me. It seemed like the family chat group had turned into a meme hub, and I guess it was quite the event for them. To be honest, a lot of memes I didn't really understand -- I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned that way. I ended up asking others -- why I am connected to some. But one thing's sure, all these memes were hilarious and surfaced after our win, not during those tough losses where people tend to be critical," Kariniauskas said.

Before the FIBA World Cup game against Team USA, Kariniauskas had around 2.8 thousand followers on Instagram. In just one day, his followers surged to almost 7.0 thousand.

"I received a lot of messages, but I didn't read them all," Kariniauskas revealed. "I reached out to my closest friends; I don't have many. I only messaged those who have always been there for me and will continue to be. I can't say how many other messages are waiting, but I haven't opened them."

Amidst the intense social media attention, Kariniauskas' agent, Tadas Bulotas, disclosed that the player's contract with Lithuanian basketball team BC Mazeikiai includes a buyout option.

For 20,000 euros, Kariniauskas could potentially leave his current team before September 15.

"I don't know about the future right now. I'm not thinking about what will happen in the next 5-7 days," the 29-year-old guard acknowledged. "Our focus needs to be on the World Cup. I trust my agent, who I've been with since I was sixteen. I'm doing my part; now, I'll let him do his."

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