Mar 22, 2010, 12:33 am
Two years ago "Lietuvos Rytas" general manager Jonas Vainauskas and some other specialists expressed their concern that Lithuanian BB faced some sort of decay (debatable position, IMO). Now situation seems radically changed on the positive note and only PG position still remains highly questionable. I'll try to examine in my opinion the most potential prospects, you're well come to discuss, disagree or to add something. Also, don't forget the poll 
Extra talented group
Donatas Motiejūnas. 213cm, Benneton. 19yo. Internationally estimated as one of the most interesting prospect from Old continent. Lefty center (or power forward) is highly versatile offensively while suffers at the defensive end with the positioning and rebounding. His personality might be an issue also. Currently he's having constant minutes at the Benneton and seems to show at least a decent results for his age at that level.
Look Motiejūnas' thread here- http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/thread-...nas-thread
Jonas Valančiunas. 210cm, Lietuvos Rytas. 17 yo. Another already internationally noticed prospect with even better presumption of his NBA future (DraftExpress). Otherwise Motiejūnas, Valančiūnas feels very comfortable at the both ends of the court, but he's way more of a typical center at the offense. He produces great athleticism, quickness and mobility for his high. Good rebounder and blocker, shows some nice spin moves and face to face game. Already showing unexpectedly matured game for 17yo at the LKL champion team Lietuvos Rytas.
Valančiūnas' thread here- http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/thread-...nas-thread
Mindaugas Kuzminskas. 205cm. Šiauliai. 20yo. While most people see Motiejūnas and Valančiūnas as the most talented Lithuanian prospects Kuzminskas might end up as not less talented versatile forward as well. Not too much internationally promoted player showed great parfomance at Eurocup this year and seems getting better all the time. Dangerous from 3p line, good at penetrating and highly presented in the paint where he can fight with power forwards while he's more like SF. Great personality and a very little feedback from NBA scouts, so he's a dark horse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzZ6vuu3EkI
Martynas Gecevičius. 193cm. Lietuvos Rytas. Finally find him self as the key player for Rytas and had a great Euroleague season. Deadly shooter, good passer and hight IQ. That's his weapons. What he's really should work on it's his athleticism. Some more muscles and quickness would help him a lot.
Other worth mentioning prospects (This section is without point guards who will be excluded. Each of every player I'll discuss on the progress, later on)
Martynas Pocius. Žalgiris.
Adas Juškevičius. Žalgiris.
Deivydas Gailius (Šiualiai)
Arvydas Šikšnius (Šiauliai)
Vytenis Lipkevičius (Aisčiai)
Eimantas Bendžius (Perlas)
Vaidas Čepukaitis (Aisčiai)
Evaldas Kairys (Perlas)
Point guard group
Mantas Kalnietis. 195cm, Žalgiris, 23yo. Average skills for point guard and average skills for shooting guard. Despite this, he seems like the most potential point guard after Jasikevičius in Lithuania at the given time. His main and most dangerous gun is fast brake. At the positional game he's struggling with ballhandling and quickness what doesn't help him to have enough sparkle for creativity and energy that point guard should have. All in all he became a decent point guard, but he's not the world class material IMO.
Žygimantas Janavičius. 192cm, Aisčiai, 21yo. Couple of years ago he was treated as one of the most promising Lithuanian prospects, but the transition to the men BB isn't that fast as expected. Lefty guards has very good physical fundamentals what really helps him at the defensive end and penetration in offense. His ball handling is kinda questionable, but he's really quick and mobile enough to control the ball at the different tempo. Pretty good passer. The disadvantages lies at the offense while he's not a perfect shooter and he's not stable from down town (he has at least decent 3p shot though) and suffers with some shooting situations. He's lacking some flexibility and tends to lose his connection with other guys. Despite that, he's still one of the most promising Lithuanian PG and has some extra qualities like athleticism, quickness and hardly stoppable lefty lay ups.
Žydrūnas Kelys. 188cm, Rytas, 22yo. After being fired from Žalgiris due to unacceptable life style for sportsmen (and almost leaving sports career)he regain his confidence and shape at second Rytas' team Perlas and now he's with Rytas roster(injured ATM). I would say his playing style is a little bit familiar with Tony Parker. He's very energetic, quick and highly coordinated guard. He can nail a triple and he can go inside whenever he likes. Tends to take a risky shot or pass what leads to 6 or 7 TOs per game (reminds young Jasikevičius at that point). These wasted years might cost him badly while he'll turn to 23 soon, but if he will get his transition to the highest level soon he might end up like the most potential point guard in Lithuania. He really surprised with his fighting temper while leading Perlas to the victory against Žalgiris at the legendary Sport Hall (Kaunas). Surely one of the biggest discoveries of the LKL season. Next year, he will start with Rytas and that means a new level of his career.
Šarūnas Vasiliauskas
Aidas Viskontas
Augustas Pečiukevičius
Ovidijus Varanauskas
Extra talented group
Donatas Motiejūnas. 213cm, Benneton. 19yo. Internationally estimated as one of the most interesting prospect from Old continent. Lefty center (or power forward) is highly versatile offensively while suffers at the defensive end with the positioning and rebounding. His personality might be an issue also. Currently he's having constant minutes at the Benneton and seems to show at least a decent results for his age at that level.
Look Motiejūnas' thread here- http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/thread-...nas-thread
Jonas Valančiunas. 210cm, Lietuvos Rytas. 17 yo. Another already internationally noticed prospect with even better presumption of his NBA future (DraftExpress). Otherwise Motiejūnas, Valančiūnas feels very comfortable at the both ends of the court, but he's way more of a typical center at the offense. He produces great athleticism, quickness and mobility for his high. Good rebounder and blocker, shows some nice spin moves and face to face game. Already showing unexpectedly matured game for 17yo at the LKL champion team Lietuvos Rytas.
Valančiūnas' thread here- http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/thread-...nas-thread
Mindaugas Kuzminskas. 205cm. Šiauliai. 20yo. While most people see Motiejūnas and Valančiūnas as the most talented Lithuanian prospects Kuzminskas might end up as not less talented versatile forward as well. Not too much internationally promoted player showed great parfomance at Eurocup this year and seems getting better all the time. Dangerous from 3p line, good at penetrating and highly presented in the paint where he can fight with power forwards while he's more like SF. Great personality and a very little feedback from NBA scouts, so he's a dark horse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzZ6vuu3EkIMartynas Gecevičius. 193cm. Lietuvos Rytas. Finally find him self as the key player for Rytas and had a great Euroleague season. Deadly shooter, good passer and hight IQ. That's his weapons. What he's really should work on it's his athleticism. Some more muscles and quickness would help him a lot.
Other worth mentioning prospects (This section is without point guards who will be excluded. Each of every player I'll discuss on the progress, later on)
Martynas Pocius. Žalgiris.
Adas Juškevičius. Žalgiris.
Deivydas Gailius (Šiualiai)
Arvydas Šikšnius (Šiauliai)
Vytenis Lipkevičius (Aisčiai)
Eimantas Bendžius (Perlas)
Vaidas Čepukaitis (Aisčiai)
Evaldas Kairys (Perlas)
Point guard group
Mantas Kalnietis. 195cm, Žalgiris, 23yo. Average skills for point guard and average skills for shooting guard. Despite this, he seems like the most potential point guard after Jasikevičius in Lithuania at the given time. His main and most dangerous gun is fast brake. At the positional game he's struggling with ballhandling and quickness what doesn't help him to have enough sparkle for creativity and energy that point guard should have. All in all he became a decent point guard, but he's not the world class material IMO.
Žygimantas Janavičius. 192cm, Aisčiai, 21yo. Couple of years ago he was treated as one of the most promising Lithuanian prospects, but the transition to the men BB isn't that fast as expected. Lefty guards has very good physical fundamentals what really helps him at the defensive end and penetration in offense. His ball handling is kinda questionable, but he's really quick and mobile enough to control the ball at the different tempo. Pretty good passer. The disadvantages lies at the offense while he's not a perfect shooter and he's not stable from down town (he has at least decent 3p shot though) and suffers with some shooting situations. He's lacking some flexibility and tends to lose his connection with other guys. Despite that, he's still one of the most promising Lithuanian PG and has some extra qualities like athleticism, quickness and hardly stoppable lefty lay ups.
Žydrūnas Kelys. 188cm, Rytas, 22yo. After being fired from Žalgiris due to unacceptable life style for sportsmen (and almost leaving sports career)he regain his confidence and shape at second Rytas' team Perlas and now he's with Rytas roster(injured ATM). I would say his playing style is a little bit familiar with Tony Parker. He's very energetic, quick and highly coordinated guard. He can nail a triple and he can go inside whenever he likes. Tends to take a risky shot or pass what leads to 6 or 7 TOs per game (reminds young Jasikevičius at that point). These wasted years might cost him badly while he'll turn to 23 soon, but if he will get his transition to the highest level soon he might end up like the most potential point guard in Lithuania. He really surprised with his fighting temper while leading Perlas to the victory against Žalgiris at the legendary Sport Hall (Kaunas). Surely one of the biggest discoveries of the LKL season. Next year, he will start with Rytas and that means a new level of his career.
Šarūnas Vasiliauskas
Aidas Viskontas
Augustas Pečiukevičius
Ovidijus Varanauskas
You may also add links to already existing threads next to player names so that people who want to discuss specifically one player could go directly to the right thread.
This guy is underrated really. I watched many games with him playing for Perlas and he managed to overplay Kalnietis anytime Perlas played against Žalgiris. Sure he had all freedom in his hands, but still his skills and leadership are promising. Despite the fact he's out at least for two months more, I hope he'll be invited to second NT team camp (having in mind point guard issue I believe Kemzūra could examine all our young PG as Janavičius, Vasiliauskas, Viskontas and Kelys or at least to take few of them).