Lithuania National Basketball Team: Can They Return to Elite at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?

As of January 2025, I am serving as a freelance sports writer for Delfi, the largest news outlet in Lithuania. In accordance with our agreement, I have the right to republish articles originally published in Lithuanian on my personal blog in the English language. This article, Will Lithuania National Basketball Team Be Ready for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, is one such piece.

The original article that I wrote on Delfi starts with the retirement of Mindaugas Kuzminskas—a sorta-legendary local basketball player, former Lithuania national basketball team captain, and even a former New York Knick. More importantly, he’s one of the last guys to actually win a medal for Lithuania, back in 2015.

For a nation of less than 3 million that calls basketball its second religion, a decade-long medal drought and missing yet another Olympics is a full-on nightmare. Of course, it’s not quite Croatian basketball levels of pain, who is now missing their first European Championship, as they’re just as proud of their basketball as we are, and Split and Kaunas rank among the top NBA-producing cities per capita, but unlike Croatians, basketball is everything to us. Maybe swimming, rowing, and discus throw get a little love too, but let’s be real—there’s never going to be Luka Modrić type football megastar coming out of Lithuania.

BUT, for the first time in years, there’s real hope. We’re seeing promising prospects again—guys with character, guys making a name for themselves in both the U.S. and European basketball, actual NBA-level talents. And suddenly, the belief is creeping back in.

So, if you’re into international basketball, if you love Lithuanian hoops (or, let’s be honest, if you are Lithuanian), take a deep breath of optimism—because I truly believe that the hype is real and the Lithuania National Basketball Team is gearing up to remind the world who we are at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Simulation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics (LA28)

I will start by listing players who, in my opinion, will be candidates for the national team, and I will indicate their age in 2028. Then, we will look at the qualities these players already have and what we can expect in the future.

Point Guards: Rokas Jokubaitis (28), Kasparas Jakūčionis (22), Augustas Marčiulionis (26)
Shooting Guards: Dovydas Giedraitis (28), Mantas Juzėnas (22), Nojus Indrušaitis (22)
Small Forwards: Deividas Sirvydis (28), Ignas Brazdeikis (30)
Power Forwards: Matas Buzelis (23), Paulius Murauskas (24), Tadas Sedekerskis (31)
Centers: Domantas Sabonis (32), Jonas Valančiūnas (36), Ąžuolas Tubelis (26)

Head Coach: Rimas Kurtinaitis

Why is R. Kurtinaitis great for this Lithuania basketball lineup?

I will start with the coach and refer to a previously conducted study, where I identified the key qualities of a good coach. These are charisma, leadership experience, competence, ability to connect with players, motivation, leading by example, and adaptability.

While I slightly doubt if R. Kurtinaitis always manages to adapt to situations, I am confident about his other qualities. He is a charismatic coach with strong leadership experience, who has been part of many of Lithuania’s great basketball achievements and knows how to connect with players.

Although this coach is also competent, given that he will inevitably face generational changes, charisma, the ability to connect, motivation, and leadership experience become the most important qualities.

Another important aspect is that, although there has been some doubt about the assistants for this team, I’ve also heard older players emphasize the benefit of Tomas Pačėsa for young players, especially regarding work ethic development. Meanwhile, Mantas Šernius, with his team in the Lithuanian league, proves himself to be an excellent strategist.

So, I believe that Kaunas-native R. Kurtinaitis has not only “earned” this position but is indeed a good choice for this period. It is often said that it is crucial to have people in the team who know what a “winning” locker room should look like, and R. Kurtinaitis has been part of such teams for much of his career. By the way, in 1996, during the Atlanta Olympics, Tomas Pačėsas, who is the new assistant coach of Lithuania national basketball team, was also in that locker room.

Point Guards

This is the biggest “Achilles’ heel” in Lithuania national basketball team history. Due to the lack of players in this position, we have seen Andrius Mažutis, Marius Prekevičius, and even Artūras Jomantas being tested as “floor generals”. The lack of this position also led to 19-year-old Mantas Kalnietis being forced to play point guard, who selflessly dedicated himself to the national team and saved Lithuanian basketball for several years.

In short, there have been no two point guards playing at a high level in the national team since 1992 when Šarūnas Marčiulionis and Valdemaras Chomičius represented Lithuania. The closest to this was the 2012 Olympic Games, where M. Kalnietis and 36-year-old Šarūnas Jasikevičius, who was nearing the end of his career, played together.

But it seems that the situation is about to change. The Lithuania national basketball team already has a great player in Rokas Jokubaitis, who plays excellently in the Euroleague and is expected to peak in 2028. Rokas is an excellent playmaker who has found the opportunity to become a leader in the Euroleague team Maccabi, which has been going through tough times. In my opinion, he is in an ideal position to develop. Although his chances of reaching the NBA dream seem slim, he is still a young player who could open the NBA doors, meaning that our national team could have two point guards playing in the world’s strongest league.

The other NBA point guard should be a promising young prospect Kasparas Jakūčionis, who is having an impressive season in the NCAA. The young Lithuanian, showing excellent stats at one of the strongest universities in Illinois, expects to be drafted in the 4th-12th place. At 198 cm tall, he excels in playmaking, confidently attacking the opponent’s basket, and has leadership qualities. Many are confident that Kasparas will become the future mega star of Lithuanian basketball, and the tandem with Rokas Jokubaitis looks perfect, especially because Rokas will no longer need to carry the entire responsibility, which our national team point guards often have to do.

A great candidate for this position is Augustas Marčiulionis, the son of the legendary Lithuania national basketball team player – Šarūnas Marčiulionis. Having secured the role of a starting point guard at the capable Saint Mary’s Gaels University, he has lived up to expectations and shows excellent statistics, most importantly improving the element that hampered his career – his long-range shooting. Augustas has a strong physique, the ability to finish close to the basket, and in my opinion, if he chooses the right professional career path, he could reach Euroleague level. By the way, Marčiulionis, Sabonis, and Kurtinaitis in the national team seem like a trio destined to bring victories to our country on the basketball court.

Shooting Guards

Here, I’ll start with a player who will not necessarily be the primary star but is essential for every winning team. He is a defensive player who follows the coach’s instructions, builds the team, and does the “dirty work” – Dovydas Giedraitis. Once, such a hero was Mindaugas Žukauskas, who “shut down” Germany’s wunderkind Dirk Nowitzki. Jonas Mačiulis also played this role, and good blue-collar players are needed in all winning teams.

Dovydas, who will reach his peak in 2028, in my opinion, will excel in this role – especially when he no longer has to worry about playing point guard.

The other two players and Lithuania’s sports prospects, Mantas Juzėnas and Nojus Indrušaitis, are still very young and will have to prove a lot to become players for Lithuania national basketball team in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. However, in my opinion, they should succeed.

Mantas Juzėnas, in my opinion, is the type of player Lithuania national basketball team has been missing for some time – a “gritty”, “fighting” player. Like D. Giedraitis, M. Juzėnas won’t be the one to score many points, but both have the ability to play their role.

Annoying the opponents, doing the “dirty work” – this is also an essential quality for winning teams. This is something J. Mačiulis, Paulius Jankūnas, and many other successful team players have excelled at – like Rudy Fernandez in the Spanish national team, Draymond Green in the Golden State Warriors, or Dennis Rodman in the Chicago Bulls.

Our country’s leaders and one of the biggest sports icons – Š. Jasikevičius, Linas Kleiza, or even the GOAT Arvydas Sabonis – were also “gritty”. Lithuania can never win tournaments with just talent, so “grittiness” is a necessary quality. It’s also great that it seems there will be more than just M. Juzėnas with this characteristic.

Meanwhile, Nojus Indrušaitis has already shown his potential in youth Lithuania national basketball team, but at the moment, he is less noticed as he joined the NCAA. However, there is a reason for this – Nojus is the only first-year player at the extremely strong Iowa University. However, in his second year, he should shine, and I believe that over the next four years, he will at least reach Euroleague level and may even reach the NBA.

This U.S.-raised player has a wide skill set and can create both for himself and others. He is one of the most interesting young Lithuanian players to follow in America.

Small Forwards

I’ll start by noting that both Ignas Brazdeikis and Deividas Sirvydis can play the shooting guard position, especially since so much is said about positionless basketball. However, their height dictates they should play small forward.

Both of these “Žalgiris” players belong to the previously mentioned “gritty” players category. However, both are still in the stage of searching for themselves, with different reasons for that.

I. Brazdeikis undoubtedly saw himself as an NBA team leader in his youth, but his failure to secure such a role at Olympiakos and this year’s “Žalgiris” has led to him undergoing significant growing pains. He is trying to figure out what his game should be and what he needs to improve to become a leader. Character-wise, he could certainly be one, but his poor situational awareness on the court hinders his full potential.

At the same time, I believe Andrea Trinchieri’s style might not be entirely suitable for him, especially since this coach focuses more on imposing his system on the team than seeking the best situations for the players. However, we can see I. Brazdeikis’s growth – he is a player with enormous motivation, and by 2028, he will reach maturity, and I have no doubt he will be a reliable offensive option for R. Kurtinaitis.

D. Sirvydis, on the other hand, had the opportunity to see what NBA life is like and now works purposefully to return to that level. He became a pleasant surprise for many “Žalgiris” fans in his first season. His fearlessness to shoot is remarkable, and one can be sure that in the future, he could become a player who, once he “heats up,” could single-handedly destroy opposing teams.

In 2028, he will be in his prime, excellently blending Lithuanian and American basketball qualities. A reliable shooter, with a great work ethic, and I believe he should be a future Euroleague star.

A quick note: Both of Ignas and Deividas have already been a part of NBA teams, and I believe that if they were at the right time and at the right place, they both could’ve been playing there. So in my eyes they both have quite a high-ceiling for development.

Power Forwards

Another position where there will be no shortage of “grittiness” and talent. Here we have Matas Buzelis, who has already opened the doors to the NBA, Paulius Murauskas, who is regaining his confidence in America, and another great “glue” player – Tadas Sedekerskis.

Matas Buzelis, together with Kasparas Jakučionis, represents the main hopes of our country’s basketball, from whom the most is expected. What sets Matas apart is that he not only does not shy away from a leadership role but actively craves it. He is a player with extraordinary self-confidence, unique physical attributes, a strong work ethic, and a skill set. He’s one of the most hypegenic players that Lithuania has ever seen.

One can only hope that under Chicago Bulls GM Artūras Karnišovas, Matas will have every opportunity to fulfill his potential. I really hope we will see him in the national team kit already this year.

Paulius Murauskas is another “fighting” player, whose talent allowed him, at 18, to gain experience in the European Cup, playing 14 minutes per game. When he moved to Arizona University, where Ąžuolas Tubelis dominated, it seemed that Murauskas’s good results in the NCAA were guaranteed. Unfortunately, reality slowed down this player.

After an unsuccessful season, P. Murauskas joined A. Marčiulionis’ Saint Mary’s Gaels University, where he now forms a Lithuanian leader duo. By the way, next year Mantas Juzėnas will also play there.

I think this forced “come down to earth” for such a young player like P. Murauskas should have been beneficial. If he fulfills his potential, he will be a high-level Euroleague player with an extremely combative character.

We finish the power forwards list with Tadas Sedekerskis, who, by 2028, will still only be 31, even though he made his Euroleague debut in 2016 and is already a captain of a Euroleague team. Tadas also excellently fills the “glue” player role, who, when necessary, can take the initiative in offense but is focused on defense, rebounds, and doing the “dirty work.”

By the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, he will have reached maturity, and his physical traits suggest that his game will still be at peak level. He is another excellent role player who can help the team’s leaders shine.

Centers

First of all, we still should have two legends from Lithuania who won silver medals at the 2015 European Basketball Championship – Jonas Valančiūnas and Domantas Sabonis. I want to believe that Ąžuolas Tubelis will also reach the level of Lithuania national basketball team.

J. Valančiūnas might make the Los Angeles Olympics his farewell tournament. The 36-year-old veteran’s importance in the locker room will be greater than on the court. However, winning teams need experienced, all-seeing players who can build the team off the court, set an example for younger players, and have a strong voice. J. Valančiūnas is exactly that – with “old-school” qualities, always representing the Lithuania national basketball team and giving his entire athletic energy to Lithuania.

D. Sabonis should remain at a high level and continue benefiting the team both on the court and already with valuable veteran experience. With the emergence of players like M. Buzelis and K. Jakūčionis, who will be labeled as leaders, I believe D. Sabonis will have it easier. It seems that he feels more comfortable being the second or third option – a high-level “glue” player, rather than the main team player.

The idea that D. Sabonis could be a second or third option in the team may sound like fantasy, but I believe that it will be Lithuania national basketball team’s reality in the coming years.

The last player in this list is Ą. Tubelis, who, without a doubt, will reach a good Euroleague level in the next few years. His athleticism, that same “grittiness” should help him rise and become a potential national team player. However, with Valančiūnas and Sabonis, I still wonder if he will make it into the final twelve. However, a player of such caliber not making it into the final roster would show how strong Lithuania national basketball team is.

Future Lithuania National Basketball Team – Modern, Versatile, Popular?

I genuinely believe that the Lithuania national basketball team is heading for a strong period of growth. High-level playmakers, excellent “glue” players with strong character, self-confident leaders, and those “basketball dwarfs” who take down big countries.

I believe that players with leadership qualities like M. Buzelis and K. Jakūčionis will help the players who have had to take on leadership roles in recent years but feel more comfortable performing other tasks. The future Lithuania national basketball team looks perfectly balanced between those who will score points and those who will help hide offensive shortcomings in defense. Finally, we will have many “gritty” young players, so the coaching staff selection also seems pretty good.

From a sports marketing perspective, I personally believe that Lithuania national basketball team has the best international basketball product in the world – in terms of history, image, and other meanings. This could be effectively utilized when good results come and basketball’s popularity continues to grow. Along with this, the potential Sabonis and Marčiulionis duo, led to victories by Kurtinaitis, plus at least four NBA players, could generate financial benefits for Lithuanian basketball and possibly the entire Lithuanian sports ecosystem. But more on that – next time.