Kestutis Kemzura names 20 to preliminary Team Lithuania roster

Team Lithuania coach Kestutis Kemzura this morning named 20 players to his preliminary squad in advance of the Eurobasket 2011 tournament. The home team will be returning seven players from the side that took bronze in the 2010 FIBA World Championship and including one NBAer – but not Linas Kleiza.

Returning from the surprise of 2010 are Robertas Javtokas, Mantas Kalnietis, Martynas Pocius, Tomas Delininkaitis, and Paulius Jankunas of Zalgiris Kaunas, plus Martynas Gecevicius and Simas Jasaitis of Lietuvos Rytas. Also named to Kemzura’s preliminary squad is Zalgiris’ Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who was a reserve for the 2010 Team Lithuania.

Lithuanian fans themselves surely must be cheered by the return of six former national team members, nearly all European legends: Sarunas Jasikevicius and Darjus Lavrinovic (Fenerbahce Ulker); Rimantas Kaukenas and Ksystof Lavrinovic (Montepaschi Siena); Darius Songaila (Philadelphia 76ers); and Marijonas Petravicius (AJ Milano).

NBA draftniks – and those looking to catch a glimpse at some of Europe’s up-and-coming talent – will be keeping an eye on Donatas Motiejunas, Jonas Valanciunas and Mindaugas Kuzminskas.

Others named to the 20-man roster were Deivydas Gailius (Virtus Bologna), Arturus Jomantas (Lietuvos Rytas), Mindaugas Lukauskis (EWE Baskets Oldenburg), and Renaldas Seibutis (Olin Edirne).

While this roster appears pretty fearsome in combination with the homecourt advantage, veteran FIBA tournament coach and reputation earned in 2010, some Lithuanians are apparently not so easily impressed. Tweeted BiE compadre Simas Baranauskas minutes after the announcement: “Apparently what you need for an international call-up in Lithuania is 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in Euroleague. Artūras Jomantas…”

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