Lithuania rules out naturalizing D'Angelo Russell
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) has not taken any steps to naturalize American-born guard D'Angelo Russell or involve him in the Lithuanian national team, per the official announcement. "Recent media speculation in Lithuania about Russell potentially joining the team lacks any factual basis. The LKF has neither initiated a naturalization process nor communicated with Russell on this matter," the federation statement reads about a player, whose partner, Laura Ivaniukas, is of Lithuanian descent.
Source: BasketNews
What's the buzz on Twitter?
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation rejects reports about D'Angelo Russell
“LKF has not started any legal process that would allow him to play for the national team of Lithuania”
eurohoops.net/en/eurobasket/… - 7:26 AM
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation 🇱🇹 has not initiated a process to naturalize D'Angelo Russell for FIBA competitions, as there are no legal arguments that would allow the NBA player to qualify for the Lithuanian citizenship exception, per the LTU Basketball announcement. - 7:01 AM
Gabe Vincent in LAL's first 2 possessions after subbing in early in 2Q:
- drive past MPJ on closeout, kick out to D'Angelo Russell on corner 3;
- drive past MPJ on his closeout, pump fake and knocks down 14-foot pull-up.
Lakers leading Nuggets 39-36 at 9:23 in 2Q. - 11:14 PM
A 10-0 Lakers spurt with Jokic resting turned a 7-point deficit into a 39-36 Lakers lead.
Key play was LeBron drawing a clear path foul on Russell Westbrook and hit both FT's, then Vincent found D'Angelo Russell for a corner 3 to cap a 5-point possession. - 11:13 PM
MPJ getting D'Angelo Russell in the post and doing THAT is wild. - 11:08 PM
More on this storyline
His former teammate and now Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas guard Lonnie Walker IV reacted to the news, claiming he'll try to help influence Russell's decision. "I'll make sure I shoot him a couple of texts [to let him know] that the atmosphere here [in Lithuania] is terrific over here. Maybe he'll get a little bit influenced by it," Walker smiled after his stellar EuroLeague performance against Panathinaikos. "I'll ask him, and I'll see what he's talking about. You know, 'See, I heard some rumors and whatnot', and see where his head is with that. We'll see where it goes," Walker added. -via BasketNews / November 23, 2024
According to the Lithuanian portal 15min.lt, D’Angelo Russell is interested in playing for the Lithuanian national team, aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Reportedly, he has already informed officials at the Lithuanian Basketball Federation about his intentions. Lithuania was not a random choice – his wife is Lithuanian, which should facilitate the process of obtaining citizenship. “The President’s institution is aware of the player and his connection to Lithuania, but formal citizenship procedures haven’t been started yet,” a representative of the President told 15min. -via EuroHoops.net / November 22, 2024
Dave McMenamin: The Lakers hold on to win 120-115 in San Antonio. AD 40 pts 12 reb 2 blk; LeBron 19 pts 16 reb 12 ast; Reaves 19 pts 6 ast; Knecht 14 pts; DLo 13 pts 6 ast 3 stl; Christie 11 pts 2 stl -via Twitter @mcten / November 15, 2024
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lithuania rules out naturalizing D'Angelo Russell