Career: Seton Hall University (USA-NCAA, 1996-00), Galil Elion Hapoel (Israel-Premier League, 2000-01), Lietuvos rytas Vilnius (Lithuania-LKL, 2001-02), Telindus Ostende (Belgium-D1, 2002-03), Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-Bundesliga, 2003-04), Vertical Vision Cantu (Italy-Lega, 2004-05), Montepaschi Siena (Italy-Lega, 2005-07).

The return to the National Team last summer after four years out was a joyful experience for Kaukenas. Following his title-winning campaign at Montepaschi Siena in Italy’s Lega A, he started at shooting guard for Lithuania at EuroBasket 2007 and helped them capture a bronze medal to qualify for the Beijing Games. His dream of making it to the Olympics was thrown into serious jeopardy in January when he tore his knee ligament while playing for Montepaschi. Yet after surgery and almost five months of rehabilitation, Kaukenas returned to the court and again played a lot of minutes as the Tuscan club defended their Italian title. The tenacious Kaukenas, an excellent shooter from long range, has shown how perseverance and determination bring rewards.