By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lithuania star center and team captain Jonas Valanciunas won’t play in the upcoming Olympic Games Qualifiers due to his status as an NBA free agent, LKF (Lithuanian Federation) general secretary Mindaugas Balciunas announced.
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“Jonas really wants to play for the national team and the insurance situation isn’t a problem. The condition that we can’t meet is irrelevant to these two factors. Jonas must be healthy at the beginning of July when signing a contract. No one can guarantee that,” Balciunas said in a press conference, per the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.
Negotiations for contracts during the 2024 NBA free agency will start June 30 at 6 PM EST and clubs can officially sign players beginning from July 6. The Lithuanian national team will play in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Puerto Rico that will be held from July 2 to 7 while training camp will launch in the following days.
“Unfortunately, this situation happened for the first time in my life – not being able to be a national team player,” said Valanciunas. “I’m definitely with the team, my spirit, my advice. I will be together. I will practice, I will prepare, I believe that I will prepare for Paris, the Olympics. I will help in any way I can. I hope Lithuania understands me and we’ll do what we’ll do in Paris.”
“Lithuania will have to understand Jonas,” Balciunas also mentioned.
Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the 2023-24 NBA regular season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lithuania preliminary roster for the Olympic Qualifiers includes Domantas Sabonis, Donatas Montiejunas, Rokas Jokubaitis, Lukas Lekavičius, Thomas Dimsa, Deividas Sirvydis, Marius Grigonis, Rokas Giedraitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas, Arnas Butkevičius, Edgaras Ulanovas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Eimantas Bendžius, Azuolas Tubelis and Motiejus Krivas.
Lithuania will face Mexico and Ivory Coast in Group A of the Olympic Qualifiers in San Juan. Italy, Bahrain and hosts Puerto Rico compile Group B.
The top two teams from each Group will advance to the semifinal knockout stage from which the Final pair will emerge. The tournament winner will book a ticket to the Olympics in Paris.