Anžejs Pasečņiks is in a positive mood to help the Latvian national team in the November European Championship qualifiers, but his participation in the next two matches is not yet clear, Kaspars Cipruss, Secretary General of the Latvian Basketball Union (LBS), told LETA.
It has already been reported that the center player Pasečņiks, who made his debut in the National Basketball Association (NBA) last season, is included in the extended list of candidates for the Latvian men’s national team for the 2022 European Championship qualifiers at the end of November.
As the LBS reported last week, a meeting was scheduled for the union’s leadership and Pasečnik on Monday. Cyprus confirmed that the talks had taken place, but it is still unclear whether Paschnik will play for the national team.
“There is too much unknown at the moment, not only from us and Angers, but also from the NBA. For example, the French national team has previously announced that none of the NBA will hit the November bubble. The plus is that Angers is very positive about playing for the national team. If it is possible to play, the NBA and the team will allow, then he will be able to help. We respect Angie’s opinion and will do our best to make him play for the national team. If he can’t, he is ready to help in the next cycles as well, “explained the situation in Cyprus.
It is expected that 14 players will go to the race in Sarajevo.
“Because of Covid-19, we will leave room for rotation, as we may have to act fast. Until the last moment, there will be as wide a circle of candidates as possible, “said Cyprus.
The list of candidates includes four Latvian teams, teams from Spain, Italy, Russia, Estonia, Poland, Kazakhstan and Belarus, as well as the NBA. Three players have played more than 100 games in the national team (Jānis Blūms 170, Kaspars Bērziņš 120, Mārtiņš Meiers 107), but there is only one potential debutant (Kristers Zoriks).
The rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) stipulate that the extended application can be adjusted until November 15, therefore the necessary preparations are being continued, identifying the opportunities for ULEB Euroleague club players to join the national team.
NBA players are available during this time, but the chances of joining the national team are affected by various side circumstances. Kristaps Porziņģis is rehabilitating after the injury, Dāvis Bertāns is going to sign a new contract, but Rodions Kurucs is staying in the USA.
The Latvian team, which started the tournament with two losses, will play with the Greek national team on November 27, and with the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 29. The Bulgarian national team also plays in Group H. The tournament is expected to end in February, when another race will take place. The three best teams will qualify for the final tournament.
Extended list of candidates for the Latvian men’s basketball team for the European Championship qualification games:
Artis Ate, Kristers Zoriks, Mārcis Vītols, Aigars Šķēle (all – “VEF Rīga”), Artūrs Žagars (Badalona “Joventut”, Spain), Edmunds Elksnis (“Valmiera Glass” / “Vidzeme University College”) Ingus Jakovičs, Artūrs Strautiņš ( both – Varese “Obenjobmetis”, Italy), Kaspars Vecvagars (Leida “ICG Forca”, Spain), Jānis Blūms (Reggio di Emilia “UnaHotels”), Artūrs Ausējs, Māris Gulbis (both – “Ventspils”), Jānis Kaufmanis (Tallinn “Kalev” / “Cramo”, Estonia), Mārtiņš Laksa (Lublin “Start”, Poland), Jānis Bērziņš (Zelona Gura “Stelmet Enea”, Poland), Ojārs Siliņš, Mārtiņš Meiers (“Astana”, Kazakhstan), Artjoms Butjankovs (Samara, Russia), Marek Meyer (Perm Parma, Russia), Andrejs Gražulis (Allianz Trieste, Italy), Marc Steinberg (Herbalife of Gran Canaria, Spain), Kaspars Berzins (Ogre), Klav Chavar (Minsk “Cmoki”, Belarus), Angie Paschnik (Washington “Wizards”, NBA).
