The Latvian men’s national basketball team has selected a 16-player candidate roster to begin training camp for the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, according to announcements from the Latvian Basketball Association (LBS). Head coach Jānis Gailītis and his coaching staff named the squad ahead of the team’s opening second-round fixtures, which begin on August 27 away against Croatia, followed by a home match against Israel on August 30.
Roster Turnover and Notable Absences
The newly released roster features 12 players who participated in the opening qualifying phase, alongside key additions and returning veterans. According to LBS reports, the squad will not include NBA forward Kristaps Porziņģis, who will remain with the Golden State Warriors to prepare for the upcoming NBA season. National team director Dairis Bertāns noted that NBA organizations maintain strict oversight and caution regarding Porziņģis’s workload, leading several players to adjust their international commitments.
Despite the absence of NBA talent, the roster brings back forward Ojārs Siliņš after a two-year absence from the national team setup. Power forward Anrijs Miška, who has spent recent years participating in team training sessions, also earned a call-up. Meanwhile, U-20 national team standouts guard Rolands Šulcs and forward Tomass Talcis received their first senior team selections to help maintain generational balance within the program.
Coaching Perspective and Summer Preparations
Head coach Jānis Gailītis emphasized the importance of balancing experienced contributors with younger debutants as the team transitions into a demanding qualifying window. According to LBS statements, Gailītis praised the players’ summer work ethic, noting that valuable investments have been made in individual skill development, physical conditioning, and overall health. The coach highlighted that a strong, ambitious core has emerged with leadership qualities that reflect the national team’s identity.
At the same time, Gailītis pointed out clear areas for improvement, stating that defensive intensity and overall execution must reach a higher level during this qualifying window. “There is no doubt that the quality in this game window must be at the highest level,” Gailītis said through LBS communications. “With that attitude and demanding standards toward ourselves, individually and collectively, we will work from the first training session to the final game. There is not much time, so it must be used as effectively as possible.”
Exhibition Schedule and Standings Context
Before facing Croatia on August 27, the Latvian squad will contest two warm-up fixtures to sharpen rotations and tactical schemes. The team travels to face Slovenia on August 19 before returning home to host a Ukrainian side coached by Ainars Bagatskis in Riga on August 23.
In the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers K Group standings, Poland currently leads the table with six victories, closely followed by Croatia and Germany with five wins each. Latvians sit fourth in the group with three victories, ahead of the Netherlands and Israel, which have recorded two wins apiece. At the conclusion of the second-round qualifiers in February 2027, the top three teams in the group will secure direct qualification tickets to the global tournament.
Full Candidate Roster
The 16 players chosen for the August training camp represent a mix of domestic and international clubs:
- Roberts Blumbergs (Zaragoza, Spain)
- Ojārs Siliņš (VEF Rīga)
- Mareks Mejeris (VEF Rīga)
- Rolands Šulcs (Rīgas zeļļi)
- Artūrs Strautiņš (unattached)
- Klāvs Čavars (unattached)
- Rihards Lomažs (unattached)
- Tomass Talcis (Rīgas zeļļi)
- Mārtiņš Laksa (unattached)
- Mārcis Šteinbergs (UCAM Murcia, Spain)
- Toms Skuja (Rīgas zeļļi)
- Kristaps Ķilps (Polski Cukier Toruń, Poland)
- Kārlis Šiliņš (Coruña, Spain)
- Anrijs Miška (Start Lublin, Poland)
- Artūrs Žagars (Zhejiang Golden Bulls, China)
- Kristers Zoriks (Legia Warsaw, Poland)
Next Confirmed Checkpoint
Latvia’s training camp opens on Monday, leading directly into their August 19 exhibition match against Slovenia on the road. The official competitive schedule resumes on August 27 with an away fixture against Croatia.
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