Lithuania head coach Kazys Maksvytis talked about how they planned to adapt to Jonas Valanciunas's absence while explaining how Domantas Sabonis is going to be the key player of the team for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifiers.
Lithuania is among the teams gearing up for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics through the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers Tournament in Puerto Rico.
However, they lost one of their key players, Jonas Valanciunas, before the start of the tournament. Team coach Kazys Maksvytis explained how they were anticipating this potential, how they were going to adapt to the New Orleans Pelicans' star's absence, and the importance of Domantas Sabonis, the Sacramento Kings star.
"We were somewhat prepared for this Plan B in case Jonas couldn't join," said Maksvytis at a press conference attended by BasketNews in Palanga, Lithuania. "We tried to adapt, especially considering our roster. Regarding centers, [Laurynas] Birutis, [Martynas] Echodas, and [Martinas] Geben declined to join due to health or personal reasons. So, we decided to include our promising player Motiejus, who will be beneficial in training and, if needed, will join in the next stage."
Another absence was that Augustas Marciulionis, the Saint Mary's guard who was injured and was ultimately replaced by Vaidas Kariniauskas, the BC Wolves guard who had an outstanding performance against Team USA in the 2024 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
"Our plans were also adjusted by Augustas Marciulionis's injury. We were looking for a point guard to replace him, and there was consideration to invite combo guards," explained Maksvytis.
"I'll probably get questions about who we will invite from the champion team; we wanted to invite Margiris Normantas and Dovydas Giedraitis, but they couldn't due to injuries. For these reasons, we decided to call up the true point guard Kariniauskas," he revealed."
Among other matters discussed by the Lithuanian specialist was the upcoming role of Domantas Sabonis, the Sacramento Kings star who is well-known for his versatile game and playmaking abilities, in the national team.
"I don't know. Domas managed to review our playbook that we sent him. We are looking to ensure our leaders have the ball more and make decisions," explained Maksvytis. "We will incorporate a few plays based on their experience and from their respective teams."
"Domas will have the ball in his hands more to make decisions and control the game as one of our leaders. In the end, we have experience, two years of experience, which will also help our coaching staff," he concluded, expressing confidence for the OQT.
Lithuania 16-man roster for Olympic Qualifiers
| Player | Team |
| Rokas Jokubaitis | FC Barcelona |
| Lukas Lekavicius | Zalgiris |
| Tomas Dimsa | Zalgiris |
| Vaidas Kariniauskas | BC Wolves |
| Deividas Sirvydis | Free agent |
| Marius Grigonis | Panathinaikos |
| Rokas Giedraitis | Crvena Zvezda |
| Arnas Butkevicius | Zalgiris |
| Edgaras Ulanovas | Zalgiris |
| Mindaugas Kuzminskas | Free agent |
| Tadas Sedekerskis | Baskonia |
| Eimantas Bendzius | Dinamo Sassari |
| Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings |
| Donatas Motiejunas | AS Monaco |
| Motiejus Krivas | Arizona Wildcats (NCAA) |
| Azuolas Tubelis | Rytas Vilnius |
