By Aris Barkas/barkas@eurohoops.net
Manila, Philippines – Coming in with three wins from Group D, Lithuania facing Greece on Friday can even possibly clinch a berth in the Quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, a potential loss would complicate the situation.
Head coach Kazys Maksvytis previewed the next game in the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday. Beyond diving into respective rosters, overall strengths, weaknesses, and more, he was specific on which player he considers the biggest threat to the Baltic Giants.
“I will choose Thomas Walkup. His defensive effort, how he controls the game, calming down his teammates,” he described the experienced point guard, “We know him. He played with Zalgiris in Lithuania. I respect him very much.”
Walkup, 30, played for the Lithuania powerhouse between 2018 to 2021, before switching to Olympiacos. Two years after joining the Reds, last April, he obtained Greek citizenship.
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Debuting at the international level, averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 assists per contest helped Greece go through from Group C to Group J.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL