Lithuania cuts down preliminary roster for FIBA World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Two players were cut from Lithuania's preliminary roster ahead of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Coach Kazys Maksvytis said the roster will be finalized within the next two weeks.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Lithuania saw Georgia react in the last stretch of the pre-World Cup friendly game in Kaunas, but ultimately got away with a narrow 104-102 win on Tuesday night.

Jonas Valanciunas paved the way with 21 points on 8/11 from the field, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Coach Kazys Maksvytis announced that forwards Matas Jogela and Eigirdas Zukauskas will no longer be part of the squad's extended roster ahead of the big tournament and the team's next prep games.

"After this match, we thanked Eigirdas Zukauskas and Matas Joglela," he said. "All players on this team are worthy, but twelve must be chosen. I would like to mention Matas separately, he has really made great progress and I think that he will be one of the key players of the Lithuanian national team in the future," Maksvytis continued.

The specialist said that the final, 12-man squad will be announced before the trip to Taiwan, where Lithuania will be facing Puerto Rico and Latvia on August 19 and 22.

As of August 1, Lithuania's extended roster for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup has 15 names in it, including Jonas Valanciunas, Rokas Jokubaitis, Donatas Motiejunas, and Ignas Brazdeikis.

Lithuania has many losses ahead of the World Cup, as Domantas Sabonis, Edgaras Ulanovas, Marius Grigonis, Rokas Giedraitis, and Lukas Lekavicius will miss the competition.

Lithuania will play in Group D in Manilla, Philippines, and face Egypt, Mexico, and Montenegro.

If Lithuania advances to the Second Round, it will meet teams from Group C, which consists of the USA, Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand.

FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25th to September 10th and will be hosted by three nations for the first time.

Lithuania's extended roster for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

Vaidas Kariniauskas Rokas Jokubaitis Tomas Dimsa Deividas Sirvydis Dovydas Giedraitis Margiris Normantas Ignas Brazdeikis Tadas Sedekerskis Eimantas Bendzius Donatas Tarolis Mindaugas Kuzminskas Azuolas Tubelis Donatas Motiejunas Jonas Valanciunas Gabrielius Maldunas Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.