London 2012 Olympic Tournament preview: Lithuania

LITHUANIA
Paulius Jankunas - Zalgiris Kaunas A classic in Olympic men's basketball, Lithuania is making its sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament since the country became independent. It has reached the semifinals in all five previous appearances and claimed bronze medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Lithuania is led by four-time Euroleague champion Sarunas Jasikevicius, former Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner and All-Euroleague first team selection Linas Kleiza and 2011-12 Eurocup Rising Star and All-Eurocup first team center Jonas Valanciunas, who will see extended playing time due to Robertas Javtokas's injury. A deep team in all positions, Lithuania relies on Zalgiris playmaker Mantas Kalnietis, his teammate Paulius Jankunas, Real Madrid swingman Marty Pocius and Rimas Kaukenas to make the difference with their talent and experience. Jonas Maciulis and Simas Jasaitis will split time at small forward while All-Eurocup first team forward Ronnie Seibutis, a late addition to the team, could be Lithuania's X-factor in London.
#
Name
Pos.
Height
Born
Team 2011-12
4 KAUKENAS, RIMANTAS Guard 192 1977 Montepaschi Siena (Euroleague - Italy)
5 KALNIETIS, MANTAS Guard 195 1986 Zalgiris Kaunas (Euroleague - Lithuania)
6 MACIULIS, JONAS Forward 200 1985 Montepaschi Siena (Euroleague - Italy)
7 POCIUS, MARTYNAS Guard 196 1986 Real Madrid (Euroleague - Spain)
8 SEIBUTIS, RENALDAS Guard 196 1985 Lietuvos Rytas (Eurocup - Lithuania)
9 SONGAILA, DARIUS Forward 206 1978 Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (Spain)
10 JASAITIS, SIMAS Forward 201 1982 Turk Telekom (Turkey)
11 KLEIZA, LINAS Forward 203 1985 Toronto Raptors (NBA)
15 KAVALIUSKAS, ANTANAS Center 208 1984 VEF Riga (Eurocup - Lithuania)
13 JASIKEVICIUS, SARUNAS Guard 193 1976 Panathinaikos (Euroleague - Greece)
14 VALANCIUNAS, JONAS Center 210 1992 Lietuvos Rytas (Eurocup - Lithuania)
12 JANKUNAS, PAULIUS Forward 205 1984 Zalgiris Kaunas (Euroleague - Lithuania)
Head Coach: KEMZURA, KESTUTIS
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Euroleague.net
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