Saras says ‘Yes’, Kemzura narrows list to 19

Sarunas Jasikevicius will try to make it to the third Olympic Games in a row after agreeing to play for Lithuania this summer. The 36-year-old veteran had some impressive performances in crucial games for Panathinaikos proving that he is still a top class player.

During Euroleague Final Four in Istanbul Saras expressed his desire to help the national team. His only concern was whether he will be able to play full season after playing for his country this summer. However, his wish to put on Lithuania’s jersey again was stronger.

Lithuania head coach Kestutis Kemzura announced a shortlist of 15 players who will be invited to the training camp. Martynas Gecevicius, who has just became Euroleague champion with Olympiacos, and Ksistof Lavrinovic of Montepaschi Siena were the most notable cuts made ahead of the training camp.

Gecevicius saw limited minutes on the court throughout the season. The 24-year-old guard spent both Euroleague Final Four matches on the bench. Due to his lack of playing practice Kemzura decided it would be better not to call him up.

The situation with Ksistof Lavrinovic is the opposite. Montepaschi are likely to reach Italian league finals and the season for Lavrinovic could end as late as June 21. That’s just a bit more than a week before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela. Ksistof’s twin brother Darjus wasn’t even named in the extended list.

The participation of Donatas Motiejunas is also a bit complicated. Even though the player is contracted to Benetton Treviso, he is supposed to sign a deal with Houston Rockets. Until the contract is signed with the Rockets, only his contract with Benetton can be insured.

If Motiejunas gets injured before he signs with the Rockets, he would lose the contract. Kemzura revealed that Motiejunas told him he would like to join the national team on July 2, just before the first game in Venezuela.

Kemzura said that it would be unfair to one player and replace him with Motiejunas if Lithuania qualifies for London Olympics. Lithuanian Basketball Federation assured it would do its best to sort the insurance issue for Motiejunas.