Lithuanian prospect Mantas Rubstavicius close to signing with New Zealand Breakers / News - Basketnews.com

Mantas Rubstavicius is considered one of the best Lithuanian prospects at his age.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

A promising 21-year-old Lithuanian prospect Mantas Rubstavicius is close to reaching an agreement with the New Zealand Breakers, sources tell BasketNews.

3-pointers this season

35%8,7Points made:8,7Accuracy:34,7%Place in standings:12Record max:15Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Jamel MorrisTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

1.98 m tall Rubstavicius, a skilled guard from Lietkabelis Panevezys, has caught the attention of NBA scouts throughout this season.

In the EuroCup, he has averaged 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 15 minutes per game.

In the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), his contributions have amounted to an average of 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 17 minutes of play.

Rubstavicius has also made the ESPN mock drafts on several occasions.

Rubstavičius debuted in the Lithuanian men's national team in February during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. In the victory against Hungary, Rubstavičius scored 12 points in 16 minutes.

Last year, he was selected for the European U20 Championship all-tournament team. Rubstavičius averaged 19.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, leading the Lithuanian youth team to the tournament's final.

He became the first Lithuanian player in history to be the top scorer of the entire U20 tournament.

He also set an all-time record for the Lithuanian U20 national team when he dropped 38 points in the quarterfinals, leading them to a victory over the French team.

Rubstavicius would join the Breakers through the Next Stars program, supported by the Australian Basketball League (NBL) since the 2018-19 season, providing a platform for young players to transition to the NBA.

Notable NBA players like LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey have made the successful leap from the NBL to the NBA.

In 2022, two Breakers players from France, Ousmane Dieng (11th pick) and Hugo Besson (58th pick), were selected in the NBA draft.

Another French talent, Rayan Rupert, is projected to be a mid-first round pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

The New Zealand Breakers had an impressive 2022-23 season, reaching the finals of the NBL.

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