Question for International Basketball fans. Who are top prospects from your country?

[AleksandarN]

Former Serbia/Montenegro team consisted of 95 percent Serbs and so was the coaches. So yes Serbia was a power house in the 2000s not just the players but the trainers and coaches. They have the best coaches and had the players . So yes Serbia was a powerhouse in 2000s

Yeah, Serbia was, but at the same time, it wasn't Serbia's national team. Two different aspects.

I said Serbia is a power house. They produce not only talented players but coaches. Regardless what the national team name was

[RookieStar]

I think it is the same in Lithuania here. I think all Euro countries that have strong domestic basketball tradition are more like that, where France or Germany for example, Basketball is getting more popular there, but it is not really because of local teams, and thats why they develop NBA talent way better now. I think countries like Greece and Lithuania need to look in the mirror and realize that what they are doing is outdated, because we being left in a dust.

We love coaches who overcoach, thats why everyone think Jaskikevicius so god, it is actually emberassing the Jasikevicius love fest our media has, if you undercoahcing coach, people here think you suck, you UNDER coaching, you doing bad. Most guards who develop here can't even really dribble. I do not think anymore can trash talk AAU, when almost every basektball club in the world has American guard thats their offensive leader. For some reason, Americans develop unlimited number of these type of players. Guy like Spanoulis was almost anomaly, because you wouldn't see a guy with such good handle, ability to split any double and get anywhere around the court with his individual skills coming out of these countries. I will say that Greece is still way better than Lithuania at this regard, because you guys still had Spanoulis, SLoukas etc, we on the other hand have nothing of sorts.
Our best 1 on 1 player ever was probably Šiškauskas, almost 20 years ago now, and he was anomaly, because he started playing basketball at like 17 years old, he just was natural talent, not our real product.

That said, I have been watching U20 that just ended on Sunday, and maybe some changes are being made, because that Lithuanian team had many drivers on a team, problem with these guys, they couldn't finish in the paint at all, but at least we saw guys with handle who were not afraid to attack the basket faced up. We had this guy Čižauskas from 92 generation, and many doofuses thought he is next big thing, I said it at a time, I debated these fools back in 2011 over here, this guy is most obvious bust I have ever seen, He was literally a PG, our big next hope, who literally couldn't dribble when pressed, it was freaking unbelievable. It is really insane how we develop guards, nobody can do anything without a screen action.

I mean, you're like 3 million people on a good day... relax, you have basketball talent coming out of your arse
Enjoy the fact that you are one of the very few regions in the world where basketball can actually claim it's the most popular sport
Phillipines, Lithuania, Indiana and maybe a couple more places. Lithuania is a hard core basketball hub, but you're gonna have dry spells simply because of how small is the talent pool. They'll figure it out, before you know it you'll have another good batch.

Ummm... I never heard of this country before...

[LuDux1]

I think it is the same in Lithuania here. I think all Euro countries that have strong domestic basketball tradition are more like that, where France or Germany for example, Basketball is getting more popular there, but it is not really because of local teams, and thats why they develop NBA talent way better now. I think countries like Greece and Lithuania need to look in the mirror and realize that what they are doing is outdated, because we being left in a dust.

We love coaches who overcoach, thats why everyone think Jaskikevicius so god, it is actually emberassing the Jasikevicius love fest our media has, if you undercoahcing coach, people here think you suck, you UNDER coaching, you doing bad. Most guards who develop here can't even really dribble. I do not think anymore can trash talk AAU, when almost every basektball club in the world has American guard thats their offensive leader. For some reason, Americans develop unlimited number of these type of players. Guy like Spanoulis was almost anomaly, because you wouldn't see a guy with such good handle, ability to split any double and get anywhere around the court with his individual skills coming out of these countries. I will say that Greece is still way better than Lithuania at this regard, because you guys still had Spanoulis, SLoukas etc, we on the other hand have nothing of sorts.
Our best 1 on 1 player ever was probably Šiškauskas, almost 20 years ago now, and he was anomaly, because he started playing basketball at like 17 years old, he just was natural talent, not our real product.

That said, I have been watching U20 that just ended on Sunday, and maybe some changes are being made, because that Lithuanian team had many drivers on a team, problem with these guys, they couldn't finish in the paint at all, but at least we saw guys with handle who were not afraid to attack the basket faced up. We had this guy Čižauskas from 92 generation, and many doofuses thought he is next big thing, I said it at a time, I debated these fools back in 2011 over here, this guy is most obvious bust I have ever seen, He was literally a PG, our big next hope, who literally couldn't dribble when pressed, it was freaking unbelievable. It is really insane how we develop guards, nobody can do anything without a screen action.

I mean, you're like 3 million people on a good day... relax, you have basketball talent coming out of your arse
Enjoy the fact that you are one of the very few regions in the world where basketball can actually claim it's the most popular sport
Phillipines, Lithuania, Indiana and maybe a couple more places. Lithuania is a hard core basketball hub, but you're gonna have dry spells simply because of how small is the talent pool. They'll figure it out, before you know it you'll have another good batch.

Might as well take a look at previous batches.

20s and 30s. In 1935 Lithuania lost to Latvia 10:123. 1937 and 1939 Eurobaskets were won mainly by American, mostly Chicago, born Lithuanians. Locals scored around quarter of points, mostly Zenonas Puzinauskas

40s and 50s. Those eurobaskets inspired generation that played important roles in Soviet NT's. Stepas Butautas and Stanislovas Stonkus led in scoring couple times each, Kazys Petkevičius and Algirdas Lauritėnas were important bench players

60s and 70s. Modestas Paulauskas was Soviet NT leader 1965-74 (2nd in points scored 1947-1989). Few players were good enough to play few games for Soviet NT in friendly games

80s and beyond. Starting with 1978, players that eventually will become core modern legends started appearing on Soviet NT roster: Sergejus Jovaiša,Valdemaras Chomičius, Arvydas Sabonis, Rimas Kurtinaitis. Šarūnas Marčiulionis


My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas?)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis
Totally forgot Rick Barry? and Waldemar Blatkauskas?

[Felixians4]

Luka Ukić, Toni Garma, Tomislav Ivišić

[UcanUwill]

My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis

How about Ilgauskas, Macijauskas and Šiškauskas? Ilgaukas and Šiškauskas probably peaked higher than any other player in the 00s.

[BarbaGrizz]

Brazil have Mathias Alessanco Vasquez, a 17yo 6'9 SF playing in Spain and that already visited Texas and Michigan. If he keeps progressing at the current rate he´s a lock for a Top 10 pick.

As lesser prospects we also have Samis Calderon, a rookie playing for Kansas and Eduardo Klafke, who´ll be a sophmore for Ole Miss.

nbadraft.net published its first 2027 mock draft and Mathias is already in it (albeit as a 6'5 SG/SF and not a 6'9 SF/PF).

[UcanUwill]

Brazil have Mathias Alessanco Vasquez, a 17yo 6'9 SF playing in Spain and that already visited Texas and Michigan. If he keeps progressing at the current rate he´s a lock for a Top 10 pick.

As lesser prospects we also have Samis Calderon, a rookie playing for Kansas and Eduardo Klafke, who´ll be a sophmore for Ole Miss.

nbadraft.net published its first 2027 mock draft and Mathias is already in it (albeit as a 6'5 SG/SF and not a 6'9 SF/PF).

In it you mean he is listed in top 60, not top 10.He is 55th on their list. Also, not familiar with the player, but I would trust Brazilian poster here over nbadraft.net, when it comes to information. Wiki says he is 6'8, so I am not sure where draft net get their info from.

[Mirotic12]

Might as well take a look at previous batches.

20s and 30s. In 1935 Lithuania lost to Latvia 10:123. 1937 and 1939 Eurobaskets were won mainly by American, mostly Chicago, born Lithuanians. Locals scored around quarter of points, mostly Zenonas Puzinauskas

40s and 50s. Those eurobaskets inspired generation that played important roles in Soviet NT's. Stepas Butautas and Stanislovas Stonkus led in scoring couple times each, Kazys Petkevičius and Algirdas Lauritėnas were important bench players

60s and 70s. Modestas Paulauskas was Soviet NT leader 1965-74 (2nd in points scored 1947-1989). Few players were good enough to play few games for Soviet NT in friendly games

80s and beyond. Starting with 1978, players that eventually will become core modern legends started appearing on Soviet NT roster: Sergejus Jovaiša,Valdemaras Chomičius, Arvydas Sabonis, Rimas Kurtinaitis. Šarūnas Marčiulionis


My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis

What exactly was the reason why Arlauckas never played for Lithuania? I've heard several different reasons given on that.

[UcanUwill]

Might as well take a look at previous batches.

20s and 30s. In 1935 Lithuania lost to Latvia 10:123. 1937 and 1939 Eurobaskets were won mainly by American, mostly Chicago, born Lithuanians. Locals scored around quarter of points, mostly Zenonas Puzinauskas

40s and 50s. Those eurobaskets inspired generation that played important roles in Soviet NT's. Stepas Butautas and Stanislovas Stonkus led in scoring couple times each, Kazys Petkevičius and Algirdas Lauritėnas were important bench players

60s and 70s. Modestas Paulauskas was Soviet NT leader 1965-74 (2nd in points scored 1947-1989). Few players were good enough to play few games for Soviet NT in friendly games

80s and beyond. Starting with 1978, players that eventually will become core modern legends started appearing on Soviet NT roster: Sergejus Jovaiša,Valdemaras Chomičius, Arvydas Sabonis, Rimas Kurtinaitis. Šarūnas Marčiulionis


My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis

What exactly was the reason why Arlauckas never played for Lithuania? I've heard several different reasons given on that.

I mean, he is not Lithuanian, just like Kyle Filipowski isn't Polish.

[Mirotic12]

What exactly was the reason why Arlauckas never played for Lithuania? I've heard several different reasons given on that.

I mean, he is not Lithuanian, just like Kyle Filipowski isn't Polish.

Yes, but Lithuania has guys on their national team that are from USA or Canada, raised in USA or Canada.

So why didn't they have Arlauckas? Did he not want to play with them? Or was it just a recent thing where Lithuanians from US and Canada can play for the national team?

It's interesting, because as was already mentioned, back in the 1930s, they were using Americans on the national team.

[UcanUwill]

Yes, but Lithuania has guys on their national team that are from USA, raised on USA.

So why didn't they have Arlauckas? Did he not want to play with them? Or was it just a recent thing where Lithuanians in US can play for the national team?

It's interesting, because as was already mentioned, back in the 1930s they were using Americans on the national team.

Well, I do not think he considers himself Lithuanian, and we do not consider him Lithuanian also, Ludux putting him on that list is pretty ridiculous honestly. He is American former player and current side line reporter. There is such thin called globalism, and we have had plenty of people with Lithuanain names who are not Lithuanian, it happens all the time just like with any other nationality.

It is actually really rare for Lithuanian NT to have guy who is really not 100% Lithuanian, actually, I can't think of single one now, except for 1937 and 1939 teams of course, which was exactly that. Maybe I am forgetting someone, but Matas Buzelis, when he debuts for Lithuanian NT if that happens, he would probably be the first immigrant child to play for Lithuania, unless I really forgetting someone, I might. It happens sometimes with your national teams, but with senior team, I can;t recall such a thing.

[Mirotic12]

Well, I do not think he considers himself Lithuanian, and we do not consider him Lithuanian also, Ludux putting him on that list is pretty ridiculous honestly. He is American former player and current side line reporter. There is such thin called globalism, and we have had plenty of people with Lithuanain names who are not Lithuanian, it happens all the time just like with any other nationality.

It is actually really rare for Lithuanian NT to have guy who is really not 100% Lithuanian, actually, I can't think of single one now, except for 1937 and 1939 teams of course, which was exactly that. Maybe I am forgetting someone, but Matas Buzelis, when he debuts for Lithuanian NT if that happens, he would probably be the first immigrant child to play for Lithuania, unless I really forgetting someone, I might. It happens sometimes with your national teams, but with senior team, I can;t recall such a thing.

If it was done in the past way back, and it is now also done with Buzelis, was there a time in between when that was different?

[UcanUwill]

Well, I do not think he considers himself Lithuanian, and we do not consider him Lithuanian also, Ludux putting him on that list is pretty ridiculous honestly. He is American former player and current side line reporter. There is such thin called globalism, and we have had plenty of people with Lithuanain names who are not Lithuanian, it happens all the time just like with any other nationality.

It is actually really rare for Lithuanian NT to have guy who is really not 100% Lithuanian, actually, I can't think of single one now, except for 1937 and 1939 teams of course, which was exactly that. Maybe I am forgetting someone, but Matas Buzelis, when he debuts for Lithuanian NT if that happens, he would probably be the first immigrant child to play for Lithuania, unless I really forgetting someone, I might. It happens sometimes with your national teams, but with senior team, I can;t recall such a thing.

If it was done in the past way back, and it is now also done with Buzelis, was there a time in between when that was different?

No, I do not think stance changed or anything, and if Joe really expressed interest, I think he would have been given a passport, but he didn't, he is American after all. Thats how it goes most of the time, I mean there are quite a few North American Basketball players who have Lithuanian name, just few years ago we had that bigman playing in Euroleague, I do not remember his name at all, he was not very relvelant, but he was one of those players, and none of us claimed him, it was just interesting seeing some complete stranger with Luthuanain name, it happens.

With Buzelis, his whole family are former famous Lithuanian athletes and his household always spoke Lithuanian, despite living in Chicago. In comparison to Brazdeikis, who is Lithuanian born in Kaunas, moved to Canada when he was 4 and he barely speaks Lithuanian now. We have these type of parents, they move to different country and 4 years later their children can not speak with their grandparents anymore cause they cant speak the language. I am not judging but it is pretty interesting parenting.

[Mirotic12]

No, I do not think stance changed or anything, and if Joe really expressed interest, I think he would have been given a passport, but he didn't, he is American after all. Thats how it goes most of the time, I mean there are quite a few North American Basketball player who have Lithuanian name, just few years ago we had that bigman playing in Euroleague, I do not remember his name at all, he was not very relvelant, but he was one of those players, and none of us claimed him, it was just interesting seeing some complete stranger with Luthuanain name, it happens.

Could it be Tim Abromaitis? If it's him, then he really wasn't good enough for it to probably matter enough that him being on the national team was something for the federation to really pursue.

Arlauckas was like the best power forward in Europe at one point.

[UcanUwill]

No, I do not think stance changed or anything, and if Joe really expressed interest, I think he would have been given a passport, but he didn't, he is American after all. Thats how it goes most of the time, I mean there are quite a few North American Basketball player who have Lithuanian name, just few years ago we had that bigman playing in Euroleague, I do not remember his name at all, he was not very relvelant, but he was one of those players, and none of us claimed him, it was just interesting seeing some complete stranger with Luthuanain name, it happens.

Could it be Tim Abromaitis? If it's him, then he really wasn't good enough for it to probably matter enough that him being on the national team was something for the federation to really pursue.

Arlauckas was like the best power forward in Europe at one point.

Yes, Tim Abromaitis it is. You are right that most of these guys are just not good enough for us to care, but I mean when Nik Stauskas was drafted, he didn't end up being good, but he was elite prospect at one point, and no one really tried to claim him. I think these federations do their job and try to recruit these immigrant children sometimes, and by the time they emerge to main scene, we basically already know who we can count as local and who don't, you know what I mean. One of our leaders alongside Kasparas Jakučionis on junior team, was Nojus Indrušaitis, and he is also from Chicago in reality. But we knew he is ''Lithuanian'' by the time he was 16. WIth guy like Stauskas or Arlauckas, we always knew they are just American guys who have some Lithuanian heritage.

[LuDux1]

My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis

How about Ilgauskas, Macijauskas and Šiškauskas? Ilgaukas and Šiškauskas probably peaked higher than any other player in the 00s.

I didn't want to go year by year or try to guess what is more impressive, Ilgauskas's stats in NBA or Saras' in EL Maybe some time later

Ludux putting him on that list is pretty ridiculous honestly

I forgot to add question mark, like with Palubinskas

[LuDux1]

Might as well take a look at previous batches.

20s and 30s. In 1935 Lithuania lost to Latvia 10:123. 1937 and 1939 Eurobaskets were won mainly by American, mostly Chicago, born Lithuanians. Locals scored around quarter of points, mostly Zenonas Puzinauskas

40s and 50s. Those eurobaskets inspired generation that played important roles in Soviet NT's. Stepas Butautas and Stanislovas Stonkus led in scoring couple times each, Kazys Petkevičius and Algirdas Lauritėnas were important bench players

60s and 70s. Modestas Paulauskas was Soviet NT leader 1965-74 (2nd in points scored 1947-1989). Few players were good enough to play few games for Soviet NT in friendly games

80s and beyond. Starting with 1978, players that eventually will become core modern legends started appearing on Soviet NT roster: Sergejus Jovaiša,Valdemaras Chomičius, Arvydas Sabonis, Rimas Kurtinaitis. Šarūnas Marčiulionis


My chronological list of best Lithuanian players: Pranas Lubinas, Stepas Butautas, Stanislovas Stonkus, (research needed), Modestas Paulauskas, (Ed Palubinskas?), Sergejus Jovaiša, Arvydas Sabonis(2nd bests during his rule: Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Artūras Karnišovas(or Joe Arlauckas)), Šarūnas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Jonas Valančiūnas, Domas Sabonis

What exactly was the reason why Arlauckas never played for Lithuania? I've heard several different reasons given on that.

Looks like he didn't want. Wouldn't matter anyway because rules back then required player to have citizenship for 3 years before playing in official games. Players that wanted: Chuck Aleksinas, NCAA champion and 4th round pick in 1982 Rich Simkus 10 round pick in 1983. Šimkus even played in preparation games in summer of 1992

Anyway, here's Brentas "Barry" Barys playing for Lithuanian World team

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[LuDux1]

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[AleksandarN]

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[UcanUwill]

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Lithuania losing game to this Latvia hurt, man, I thought they were getting gold, their betting coef in that game was 1.01 (-10000)...