The Lithuanian Basketball Federation has officially denied any plans to naturalize D'Angelo Russell or involve him in the national team, citing legal and strategic reasons while reaffirming their commitment to developing local talent.
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) has not taken any steps to naturalize American-born guard D'Angelo Russell or involve him in the Lithuanian national team, per the official announcement.
D'Angelo Russell
| MIN: | 26.93 |
| PTS: | 11.19 (46.39%) |
| REB: | 2.25 |
| As: | 4.94 |
| ST: | 0.94 |
| BL: | 0.19 |
| TO: | 1.69 |
| GM: | 16 |
"Recent media speculation in Lithuania about Russell potentially joining the team lacks any factual basis. The LKF has neither initiated a naturalization process nor communicated with Russell on this matter," the federation statement reads about a player, whose partner, Laura Ivaniukas, is of Lithuanian descent.
Russell had confirmed his interest in playing for Lithuania with a "Let's make it happen" comment on social media. However, the LKF denied any discussions.
"The basketball-related decisions are handled by the coaching staff, led by head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, and the national team program manager, Linas Kleiza. Their approach is clear: we aim to achieve success using our own talent pool. This is the right path, in my opinion. However, this issue goes beyond basketball," said LKF President Mindaugas Balciunas.
He further explained that the question of naturalization is primarily a legal matter.
According to Lithuanian Citizenship Law, a foreigner can only be granted citizenship by exception, which requires approval from the President of Lithuania. At present, there are no grounds for Russell to qualify for such an exception, and the LKF has not initiated any legal process that would enable him to represent Lithuania.
Currently, Ignas Brazdeikis takes the naturalized player spot on the Lithuanian national team.
The idea of the Los Angeles Lakers guard playing for Lithuania was presented to the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, by the parents of Chicago Bulls first-round draftee Matas Buzelis, who had a visit at the Presidential Palace.
Russell's partner, Laura Ivaniukas, with whom he has two children, is of Lithuanian descent, which could have opened up a possible path to citizenship.
"The President's institution is aware of the player and his connection to Lithuania, but formal citizenship procedures haven't been started yet," the President's representative earlier told Rokas Pakenas from 15min.
Russell would have targeted the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games for his debut in the Lithuanian national team.
Ice dancer Allison Reed, a US citizen, was granted Lithuanian citizenship on November 21st after previously applying for it two different times and getting denied. Reed and her ice dance partner, Saulius Ambrulevicius, qualified for the 2022 Olympic Games, but Reed couldn't compete because she was not a Lithuanian citizen. The pair placed 3rd in the 2023 European Championship.
