It’s no secret that a national basketball team can be at its most dangerous when it’s underestimated. Just ask France, who shocked the world in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup by defeating star-studded hosts Spain and claiming a spot on the podium.

Lithuania seems to be following in this path of being undervalued. After a solid performance in the EuroBasket tournament, where they navigated a group of death and narrowly lost in the Round of 16 to eventual champions Spain, Lithuania is not receiving much hype as a podium contender. But beware, because their recently announced extended roster is nothing short of dangerous.

Coach Kazys Maksvytis expressed his confidence in the team, saying, “There was a lot of talk about quite a few players not playing this year. But I think we managed to put together a solid roster that can aim for the highest goals.”

With stars like Jonas Valanciunas, Ignas Brazdeikis, Rokas Jokubaitis, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas returning to the fold, Lithuania has every reason to be optimistic. Valanciunas, a dominant center in international basketball, will join the team after NBA obligations. Jokubaitis led the team in assists during the EuroBasket tournament, while Brazdeikis made a strong debut, averaging 10.7 points per game. Kuzminskas has also proven his ability to step up in big moments for Lithuania.

But it’s not just the core players that make this team a force to be reckoned with. The extended roster includes talented individuals who have gained valuable experience playing in international basketball, whether it be in the European Qualifiers or EuroBasket 2022.

To prepare for the World Cup, Lithuania has scheduled a 10-game warm-up series, giving ample opportunity for Coach Maksvytis to evaluate his players and fine-tune the team’s strategy. Matches against formidable opponents such as France, Jordan, and Puerto Rico will surely put the Lithuanian squad to the test.

So, don’t sleep on Lithuania. They may not be the favorites, but with their experience, talent, and determination, they have the potential to surprise everyone and make a deep run in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

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