#1. This week’s number one is former international guard Paulius Valinskas (191-1995, currently plays in BNXT-League). He led his Belgian team Okapi Aalst to a victory over the closely-ranked Leeuwarden (2-3) 87-75 in the BNXT League in Saturday night’s game.
Valinskas was MVP of the game. He scored 27 points (!!!), had 5 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 38 minutes on the court.
Okapi Aalst (4-0) is placed seventh in the BNXT League.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
Valinskas has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 53.2%, 3FGP: 37.1% and FT: 78.4% in 21 games he played so far.
Valinskas played for the Lithuanian senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward Eigirdas Zukauskas (204-1992, currently plays in Turkey). He was the main contributor in Tofas‘ victory against the 12th-ranked Merkezefendi (8-16) crushing them 98-66 in the Turkish BSL last Saturday.
Zukauskas was the best player in that game. He scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. It was his first game for Tofas this season.
His team is placed eighth in the BSL.
Former Vytautas Prienu starter played for the Lithuanian national team in 21.
#3. The Lithuanian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center Jonas Valanciunas (213-1992, currently plays in NBA). Valanciunas was the major contributor in a New Orleans Pelicans‘ victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (27-49) 117-107 in the NBA on Wednesday night.
He had a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 11 rebounds. Valanciunas also added 4 assists and 4 steals in 35 minutes.
The New Orleans Pelicans have 33-43 record this season.
Valanciunas has very impressive stats this year: 18.1ppg, 11.6rpg, 2.6apg, 2FGP: 58.1%(436-751), 3FGP: 35.9% and FT: 81.9% in 70 games.
He played for the Lithuanian national team year ago.
#4. An experienced point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989, currently plays in Romania) contributed to Voluntari‘s victory against the 14th-ranked Ploiesti CSM (0-2) 81-69 in the Romanian Liga Nationala in Saturday night’s game.
Vasiliauskas was the top player that evening. He recorded 21 points and added 9 passes.
CSO Voluntari (4-0) is placed second in the Liga Nationala.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
Vasiliauskas has relatively good stats this season: 14.0ppg, 2.3rpg and 5.2apg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian national team
back in 21.
#5. Former U18 international center Aurimas Majauskas (201-1993, college: SHSU, currently plays in LAT-EST BL) could not help Ventspils (21-5) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his very good performance Ventspils was defeated 70-63 at home by the lower-ranked Viimsi (#6).
Majauskas was the top scorer with 19 points. He also added 6 rebounds.
This season Majauskas has relatively solid stats: 11.8ppg and 5.7rpg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian U18 national team
years ago.
#6. Forward Saulius Kulvietis (206-1991, currently plays in Germany) contributed to a Telekom Baskets‘ victory against the 15th-ranked MBC 90-85 in the German BBL in Saturday night’s game.
Kulvietis scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Telekom Baskets Bonn (20-7) is placed first in the BBL.
It was his team’s fifth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Kulvietis’ overall stats are: 9.7ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.2apg in 15 games.
He is a former U22 international player as he played for the Lithuanian team year ago.
#7. Former international forward Eimantas Bendzius (207-1990, currently plays in Italy) helped Sassari win their game against the closely-ranked Fortitudo BO (0-4) 85-79 in the Italian Serie A last Sunday.
Bendzius scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Banco di Sardegna Sassari (4-0) is placed first in the Serie A.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
Bendzius has reliable stats this season: 15.0ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.9apg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian national team
years ago.
#8. Center Laurynas Birutis (213-1997, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Obradoiro (3-0) in their last game. Despite Birutis’ very good performance the league leader Obradoiro was edged 80-78 on the road by the much lower-ranked (#8) Breogan.
He was the second best scorer with 16 points. Birutis also added 8 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 35 minutes.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Birutis’ stats this year are: 13.2ppg and 5.0rpg in 24 games.
He used to play for the Lithuanian national team
back in 22.
#9. Former Military international small forward Mindaugas Susinskas (204-1995, currently plays in Germany) helped Chemnitz win their game against the league leader ALBA Berlin 81-64 in the German BBL in Sunday night’s game.
Susinskas scored 12 points and had 3 steals.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. NINERS Chemnitz (8-7) is placed third in the BBL.
Susinskas’ stats this season are: 10.5ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.7apg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian military national team
years ago.
#10. Center Donatas Motiejunas (213-1990, currently plays in Euroleague) helped his French team Monaco win their game against the closely-ranked Baskonia (12-16) 79-68 in the Euroleague last Friday.
Motiejunas scored 7 points in 16 minutes.
AS Monaco Basket (14-13) is placed seventh in the Euroleague.
It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Euroleague Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
Motiejunas averaged so far 10.2ppg and 4.9rpg in 32 games.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the Lithuanian senior national team.
#11. Former University international center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG, currently plays in LAT-EST BL) helped his Latvian team BK Ogre win their game against the closely-ranked TalTech 89-77 in the Lat-Est BL on Wednesday night.
Jucikas recorded 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Jucikas averaged so far 13.4ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.4bpg and 1.3spg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian university national team
years ago.
#12. Former international swingman Rokas Giedraitis (200-1992, currently plays in Spain) helped Baskonia win their game against the 12th-ranked Bilbao crushing them 90-62 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday.
Giedraitis scored 9 points.
Giedraitis averaged so far 11.2ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.5apg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian national team
back in 21.
#13. Former international center Martynas Sajus (208-1996, currently plays in Germany) was not able to secure a victory for Bayreuth in their last game. Despite Sajus’ very good performance Bayreuth lost 71-84 on their home court in Bayreuth to the second-ranked Brose Bamberg.
He was the top scorer with 16 points in 24 minutes.
Sajus averaged so far 12.2ppg, 7.3rpg and 1.8apg in 24 games.
He used to play for the Lithuanian national team
years ago.
#14. Former U20 international power forward Ronaldas Rutkauskas (203-1992, currently plays in Iceland) helped Thor Thorl win their game against the eighth-ranked KR 100-84 in the Icelandic Subway League in Thursday night’s game.
Rutkauskas was the top player that evening. He recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 17 rebounds.
Rutkauskas averaged so far 12.0ppg, 10.8rpg, 3.3apg and 1.2spg.
He used to play for the Lithuanian U20 national team
back in 12.
#15. Former U20 international forward Arunas Mikalauskas (204-1997, currently plays in BNXT-League) couldn’t help Leiden (2-2) in their last game. Despite Mikalauskas’ good performance the league leader Leiden lost 70-78 on the opponent’s court to the leading Oostende.
He recorded 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Mikalauskas averaged so far 12.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.9apg and 1.3spg in 20 games.
He used to play for the Lithuanian U20 national team
years ago.
The list of other players, who all have Lithuanian passport but never been selected to any of Lithuanian national teams:
#1. John Shurna (204-PF-1990, college: Northwestern, currently plays in Spain) led Gran Canaria to a victory against the sixth-ranked Tenerife (15-9) 89-77 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday.
Shurna scored 11 points in 29 minutes.
Herbalife Gran Canaria (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Shurna’s overall stats are: 9.4ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.2apg in 21 games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Despite Shurna’s Lithuanian passport, he previously played for the USA U19 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Lithuanian team.
Strangely Shurna has never played in Lithuania.
#2. Ignas Brazdeikis (201-SF-1999, college: Michigan, currently plays in NBA) could not help the Orlando Magic (20-57) in their last game. Despite Brazdeikis’ good performance the Orlando Magic (20-57) lost 101-107 on the road to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Brazdeikis also added 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
It was Magic’s fourth consecutive loss in a row.
This year Brazdeikis’ total stats are: 3.7ppg and 1.4rpg in 37 games.
He has a dual citizenship: Lithuanian and Canadian.
Despite Brazdeikis’ Lithuanian passport, he previously played for the Canadian U17 national team and probably cannot be called to the Lithuanian team.
#3. Dominykas Milka (203-C-1992, college: St.Rose, NY, currently plays in Iceland) was not able to help Keflavik (11-13) in their last game. Despite Milka’s very good performance Keflavik lost 93-98 on the opponent’s court to the leading Njardvik.
He had a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 14 rebounds in 30 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Milka’s first season in pro basketball. The Regular Season already ended.
Milka has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.4ppg, 9.6rpg and 2.0apg in 22 games.
#4. Antanas Udras (203-F/C-1992, agency: BIG, currently plays in Iran) contributed to Gorgan‘s victory against the second-ranked Rafsanjan (12-8) 77-73 in the Iranian Superleague in Tuesday night’s game.
Udras scored 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Shahrdari Gorgan (17-3) is placed first in Group C.
Udras’ total stats this season are: 8.0ppg, 5.3rpg and 1.7apg.
#5. Experienced Arturas Valeika (207-F-1985, college: Weber St., currently plays in LAT-EST BL) managed to help Parnu Sadam to win against the closely-ranked ViA (8-18) 84-81 in the Lat-Est BL on Saturday night.
He recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Parnu Sadam (15-11) is placed seventh in the Lat-Est BL.
It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Lat-Est BL Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
Valeika’s total stats this season are: 6.7ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.3apg and 1.1spg.
#6. Dominykas Domarkas (192-PG-1992, currently plays in France) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked JA Vichy 126-108 in the French ProB (second division) on Tuesday night.
He scored 12 points and added 3 passes in only a mere 11 minutes.
This year Domarkas’ total stats are: 4.4ppg, 1.7rpg and 2.7apg in seven games.
#7. Julius Kazakauskas (196-F-1990, currently plays in France) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Saint Vallier crushing them 88-61 in the French ProB (second division) on Friday night.
He recorded only 4 points.
Kazakauskas’ total stats this season are: 6.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.7apg and 1.1spg.
#8. Erikas Kalinicenko (198-F-1997, agency: Duran International, currently plays in Spain) was the major contributor in Zamora‘s victory against the eighth-ranked Navarra 83-75 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) last Saturday.
He scored 22 points and had 4 steals.
Kalinicenko averaged so far 12.2ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.3apg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Lithuanian and Spanish.
#9. Titas Janusevicius (188-PG-2001, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 1-point Villarrobledo‘s victory against the ninth-ranked Real Canoe 82-81 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) on Wednesday night.
Janusevicius scored 15 points and added 3 assists in 24 minutes.
Janusevicius averaged so far 10.9ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.1apg in 20 games.
#10. Henrikas Vorotnikovas (203-F-1990, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for JSA Bordeaux (3-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance the third-placed JSA Bordeaux was defeated 81-70 in Paris by the lower-ranked CFBB (#4) in the Group C.
Vorotnikovas scored 12 points and added 3 assists.
Vorotnikovas averaged so far 11.7ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.6apg.
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