Jonas Valanciunas excited for possibility of meeting fellow Pelican Brandon Ingram

The NBA is taken into account as the very best basketball league on this planet with a group various of top-tier gamers. But what occurs if you get a handful of those to compete towards one another?

You get the FIBA World Cup with the magic ingredient of delight in representing their respective nations on the most important stage.

“When we step on the basketball court, representing the national teams, we’re gonna be enemies for four quarters,” New Orleans Pelicans big man and Lithuania basketball team captain Jonas Valanciunas said, as he did not hold back when asked about the potential of facing his all-star Pelicans teammate Brandon Ingram.

The two could see each other if both Team USA and Lithuania advance to the next round.

The competitive fire, though, stays on the court, as there is much respect between the two off of it.

“Excited to play against him. He’s a great guy. He’s put in a lot of work in training.. humble guy. It’s gonna be fun.”

“When we step on the basketball court, representing the national teams, we’re gonna be enemies for four quarters.” Lithuanian team captain Jonas Valanciunas talks about his potential clash with Pelicans teammate Brandon Ingram.@gmasportsph @gmanews #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/7jfD5YsuYQ

— Martin Javier (@martindjavier) August 24, 2023

Aside from Ingram, other current and former teammates he could face are Dyson Daniels of Australia and Willy Hernangomez of Spain.

Another matchup to watch out for in Group D is Lithuania’s game against Montenegro.

The Montenegrin team boasts a tall lineup and the one that spearheads the charge is Chicago Bulls big man and two-time all-star Nikola Vucevic.

When asked about his imminent encounter with the center, Valanciunas simply expressed his excitement.

“I know him for a very long [time]. He’s a great guy. He proved that he can play at the highest level. It’s gonna be fun to see the matchup against him.”

Coming from a country that values basketball like a religion, Valanciunas knows the weight of playing for the Lithuanian national team.

Head coach Kazys Maksvytis shares the same sentiments.

“It’s a small country, but a big basketball country. We have big expectations. We hope that we enjoy the tournament and we go deep,” Maksvytis stated.

Lithuania will look to fill an enormous gap left by three-time NBA all-star Domantas Sabonis, who underwent surgical procedure on his proper thumb a month in the past, and can rely closely on Valanciunas’ confirmed management.

“Jonas is the captain of the workforce, he’s are available in all of the summers. Doesn’t matter what circumstances he has. He has confirmed everyone that he’s an instance of how you can play for nationwide workforce. Jonas is a captain and chief.”

The no. 8 ranked workforce achieved a quarterfinal end in final 12 months’s Eurobasket and even pushed eventual champions Spain to an additional interval. Valanciunas led the workforce in each factors and rebounds within the stated event.

Despite not having key items, Valanciunas believes his workforce is prepared for the competitors. “We’re doing everything it takes to win the games. The real games start now, pre-season is over. Friendly games are over. We’re ready to go.”

Lithuania begins their marketing campaign on Friday, August 25, towards Egypt.

Check this web page for updates.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News