Olympic Team Profile: Lithuania
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One of the top powers in international basketball, Lithuania will aim to return to the medal podium at the Beijing Olympic Games after failing to do so four years ago in Athens for the first time in the country's history. Three-time Euroleague champion Sarunas Jasikevicius, reigning Euroleague MVP Ramunas Siskauskas and All-Euroleague big man Ksistof Lavrinovic form the backbone of a star-studded squad with the talent, experience and aspirations to challenge for at least a spot in the medal round. Since Lithuania gained independence in 1990, it has been a bona-fide threat in every tournament it has played at, winning gold at the 2003 European championships and Olympic Bronze medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000. And two players – Jasikevicus and Siskauskas - remain from that 2000 squad, which came within a last-second three-point effort by Saras of reaching the title game.
Head coach Ramunas Butautas has the task of guiding Lithuania to the promised land, and he can count on point guard Jasikevicius to be his floor general. Jasikevicius is the complete package of shooting range, court vision, experience and leadership needed to run the team. # | Name | Pos. | H. | 4 | Rimantas Kaukenas | G | 194 | 5 | Mindaugas Lukauskis | F | 198 | 6 | Jonas Masiulis | F | 198 | 7 | Darjus Lavrinovic | C | 212 | 8 | Ramunas Siskauskas | F | 198 | 9 | Marius Prekevicius | G | 195 | 10 | Simas Jasaitis | G | 201 | 11 | Linas Kleiza | F | 203 | 12 | Ksistof Lavrinovic | C | 209 | 13 | Sarunas Jasikevicius | G | 192 | 14 | Marijonas Petravicius | F | 207 | 15 | Robertas Javtokas | C | 211 | | Head Coach: Ramunas Butautas |
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Siskauskas is his ideal complement thanks to his ability to handle the ball and score from any position. Sharp shooting Linus Kleiza and Simas Jasaitis and combo guard Rimas Kaukenas round out a perimeter attack that boasts all the skills necessary to fight for gold. Scorer Marius Prekevicius, a late replacement for the injured Darius Songaila, could be a wildcard on the squad.
Lithuania has an even deeper interior game, with twin brothers Darjus and Ksistof Lavrinovic, defensive ace Robertas Javtokas and dependable Marijonas Petravicius all up to the challenge. The Lavrinovic twins each offer the best combinations of post skills and outside shooting, which when used with crafty perimeter men like Saras, Siskauskas and Kaukenas give Lithuania excellent pick-and-roll options. Javtokas is a beast both on defense and on the glass, while Petravicius is as efficient as they come with the ball in the paint. Lithuania has all the needed weapons on both sides of the floor to win any and every time on the floor. And since this tournament could be the last together for the most experienced members, expect Lithuania to be as hungry as ever when these games tip off.
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