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30 August, 2014
14 September
Jonas-Kazlauskas-13-05-2014
13/05/2014
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LTU - Numerous options as Kazlauskas announces list for Spain 2014

VILNIUS (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Lithuania have announced an expanded list of 24 players for this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup that has plenty of veterans and youngsters.

A changing of the guard is inevitable, with the most prominent name missing that of the great point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius.

The 38-year-old has had a storybook career with his various clubs and Lithuania, including an MVP performance for the national team in their EuroBasket 2003 title win in Sweden.

But the Zalgiris Kaunas playmaker is not on the 24-strong list.

"This would be in conflict with our current philosophy of inviting young players and giving them a chance," said Lithuania head coach Jonas Kazlauskas.

There is plenty of experience on the list, with 11 members of the squad that finished runners-up to France at EuroBasket 2013 included.

The only player missing from last year's team is Tomas Delininkaitis.

Paulius Jankunas and Simas Jasaitis, who didn't compete at last summer's continental championship in Slovenia due to injuries, are in the 24 announced on Tuesday.

Martynas Gecevicius, a member of the Lithuania side that reached the podium at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, is on the expanded list.

Domas Sabonis, who only just turned 18 but has been playing in Spain's Liga Endesa and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with Unicaja Malaga, is included.

The 2.07m power forward/center is the son of FIBA Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, the President of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LBBF).

Antanas Kavaliauskas, a late call-up to the Lithuania squad at the London Games following an injury to Robertas Javtokas, is included.

"It's unclear how many players will be healthy when their seasons come to an end," Kazlauskas said, "so we'll announce a short list of 15 to 17 players in June."

Fourteen players have also been named as reserves.

Lithuania will play in Group D of the World Cup against Slovenia, Angola, Mexico, Australia and Korea.

The team is No. 4 in the FIBA Ranking Men.

Lithuania's expanded list of 24 players for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup: Mantas Kalnietis, Adas Juskevicius, Sarunas Vasiliauskas, Paulius Dambrauskas, Marius Grigonis, Zygimantas Janavicius, Martynas Pocius, Renaldas Seibutis, Martynas Gecevicius, Tomas Dimsa, Vaidas Kariniauskas, Jonas Maciulis, Simas Jasaitis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Deividas Gailius, Donatas Motiejunas, Paulius Jankunas, Linas Kleiza, Ksistof Lavrinovic, Domantas Sabonis, Jonas Valanciunas, Robertas Javtokas, Darjus Lavrinovic and Antanas Kavaliauskas. Reserves: Sarunas Vasiliauskas, Paulius Dambrauskas, Zygimantas Janavicius, Vytenis Cizauskas, Adas Juskevicius, Rokas Giedraitis, Edgaras Ulanovas, Gediminas Orelikas, Eimantas Bendzius, Artūras Gudaitis, Gilvydas Biruta, Evaldas Kairys, Egidijus Mockevicius and Mindaugas Kupsas.

FIBA