By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis headlines the preliminary roster of the Latvian national team ahead of the 2023 World Cup. This is the first appearance of Latvia in a major international tournament after the 2017 EuroBasket.
There are 24 players overall on the list. Some other prominent names include Oklahoma City Thunder forward Davis Bertans, Zalgiris Kaunas big man Rolands Smits, Baskonia guard Arturs Kurucs, AEK Athens guard Janis Strelnieks, Strasbourg forward Rodions Kurucs.
The training camp will launch on July 27.
“Before the start of the training camp, to which we will invite 16 basketball players, a large number of players will participate in the traditional summer open training program, which will help to gradually improve their athletic form and facilitate our selection based on their technical, physical and health status,” said Latvia coach Luca Banchi. “We are moving forward to prepare the team for such an important tournament.”
Latvia will face France, Canada and Lebanon in Group H. The top two teams will advance to Round 2.
The full preliminary roster of Latvia per the Latvian Federation.
| No. | Name | Year of Birth | Height. | Position | Club in 2022-23 | Appearances | Points |
| 00. | Rodions Kurucs | 1998 | 207 | 3./4. | Strasbourg (FRA) | 10 | 50 |
| 5. | Mareks Mejeris | 1991 | 207 | 4. | Hapoel Jerusalem (ISR) | 101 | 466 |
| 6. | Kristaps Porziņģis | 1995 | 221 | 5. | Wizards (NBA) | 121 | 274 |
| 8. | Dāvis Bertāns | 1992 | 207 | 3./4. | Mavericks (NBA | 51 | 461 |
| 9. | Dairis Bertāns | 1989 | 193 | 2. | Real Betis (ESP) | 130 | 1246 |
| 10. | Jānis Timma | 1992 | 201 | 3. | 58 | 541 | |
| 11. | Rolands Šmits | 1995 | 207 | 4. | Žalgiris (LTU) | 36 | 202 |
| 12. | Artūrs Strautiņš | 1998 | 198 | 3. | Reggio Emilia (ITA) | 14 | 62 |
| 13. | Jānis Strēlnieks | 1989 | 191 | 1. | AEK Athens (GRE) | 118 | 1083 |
| 15. | Artis Ate | 1989 | 194 | 2./3. | VEF Rīga | 36 | 110 |
| 16. | Jānis Bērziņš | 1993 | 201 | 3. | Legia (POL) | 18 | 50 |
| 18. | Klāvs Čavars | 1996 | 205 | 5. | Start Lublin (POL) | 26 | 145 |
| 19. | Rihards Lomažs | 1996 | 190 | 2. | Oldenburg (GER) | 34 | 406 |
| 21. | Aigars Šķēle | 1992 | 193 | 1./2. | BM Staļ (POL) | 46 | 295 |
| 24. | Andrejs Gražulis | 1993 | 202 | 4. | Aquila Trento (ITA) | 45 | 285 |
| 25. | Mārtiņš Laksa | 1990 | 198 | 3. | Jonava (LTU) | 22 | 106 |
| 28. | Mārcis Šteinbergs | 2001 | 205 | 4. | Baxi Manresa (ESP) | 8 | 15 |
| 32. | Anžejs Pasečņiks | 1995 | 216 | 5. | Real Betis (ESP) | 22 | 170 |
| 37. | Kārlis Šiliņš | 1997 | 211 | 5. | BK Liepāja | 3 | 14 |
| 44. | Toms Leimanis | 1994 | 188 | 1. | Estudiantes (ESP) | 10 | 58 |
| 47. | Artūrs Kurucs | 2000 | 192 | 1./2. | Baskonia (ESP) | 13 | 73 |
| 54. | Roberts Bērziņš | 2001 | 193 | 1./2. | VEF Rīga | ||
| 55. | Artūrs Žagars | 2000 | 190 | 1. | Nevežis (LTU) | 7 | 41 |
| 66. | Kristers Zoriks | 1998 | 195 | 1. | VEF Rīga | 19 | 136 |