LBS Secretary General Addresses Andrejs Gražulis Insurance Dispute and US Interest in Benjamin Berue

Insurance Realities for Andrejs Gražulis

The insurance status of Andrejs Gražulis has drawn notable discussion across the Latvian basketball landscape. Speaking on the LTV program Rīta Panorāma, LBS Secretary General Kaspars Cipruss explained that the financial mechanisms surrounding player protection cover elite stars globally rather than exclusively targeting Latvian national team members.

Cipruss noted that the federation has already disbursed the financial difference between Gražulis’s insurance coverage and the contract amount. The remaining balance rests with the third-party insurer.

“Here it is simply an insurance matter, which, of course, will be sorted out in the near future, because no one pays you in advance. Everything is paid out after the end of the rehabilitation process. I think we do not need to exaggerate the essence of the matter,” Cipruss stated.

The LBS administration remains in active communication with both the insurance provider and FIBA to accelerate the payout. As an exceptional measure, 30 percent of the projected insurance payout was distributed to the player in January.

Recruitment Battle for Bendžamins Jānis Beruē

Beyond senior team administrative matters, LBS leadership addressed the international future of U-16 national team standout Bendžamins Jānis Beruē. Cipruss acknowledged that United States basketball representatives have shown active interest in the young prospect.

Beruē technically retains the option to represent the United States internationally. Substantial interest emerged during the spring regarding potential participation in the U-17 World Cup, and American coaching staff maintained contact with the player’s camp during recent tournament play.

“He can theoretically still represent the USA. There was great interest already in the spring for him to go to the U-17 World Cup, and even during the tournament, the leadership of the American team has contacted them. So the fight is on, the fight will be,” Cipruss said.

Workload Management and Senior Team Integration

The Latvian federation weighed elevating Beruē to the senior men’s national team for the current international window. Ultimately, officials opted against an immediate call-up to protect the teenager’s physical well-being.

During the recent European U-16 Championship, Beruē carried a workload, averaging approximately 34 minutes of playing time per contest. While LBS views the young basketbolist as a significant value, coaching and administrative staff agreed that mandatory recovery time superseded an immediate promotion.

The national team continues its preparations for upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying fixtures, balancing roster rejuvenation with strict adherence to player health and contractual safeguards.