The Lithuanian national basketball team will not have Domantas Sabonis available for the upcoming European Championship, as he will be absent for personal reasons. Additionally, another NBA player is contemplating missing the tournament.

Matas Buzelis, a player from Chicago, is rethinking his participation in EuroBasket. This decision follows indirect criticism from the Lithuanian team coach, Tomas Pacesas, aimed at NBA star and Lithuanian captain Jonas Valanciunas during a YouTube segment.

Coach Pacesas recently remarked that some players from the NBA arrive at the national team training camp not in optimal shape. He also implied that these players require additional recovery time after hunting trips and referred to issues like smoking.

The comments were widely interpreted by the Lithuanian public as directed at Valanciunas, known for his hunting and fishing hobbies.

As close friends, Buzelis expressed that he would take time to reconsider playing in the European Championship following these unfortunate remarks. Valanciunas has yet to make a statement regarding the situation.

“I am committed to representing the Lithuanian national team, but the timeline is uncertain. I might not participate this summer. We’ll need to address concerns with the coaches and have discussions with Jonas and Domantas to determine their intentions,” stated Buzelis.

Lithuania has been placed in Group B for EuroBasket, alongside the host nation Finland, as well as Montenegro, Germany, Sweden, and Great Britain.

The matchup between Montenegro and Lithuania is set for August 29th at the Nokia Arena in Tampere.

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