Every player who experienced the pain of Lithuania’s Qualifying Round exit at last year’s EuroBasket in Poland will be eager to make amends at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
That includes, no doubt, Montepaschi Siena big man Ksistof Lavrinovic.
If Lavrinovic shows up in Turkey in the same rhythm that he is currently in with his Italian club, Lithuania are going to have quite a weapon to throw at Group D opponents Spain, France, Lebanon, Canada and New Zealand.
He erupted for 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Montepaschi’s 101-58 blowout of Fenerbahce Ulker on Wednesday night.
Lavrinovic was seven of nine from the floor, including two of three from behind the arc.
The 2.09 star, who is in the prime of his career at 30 years of age, also made four of his five shots from the free-throw line.
Lavrinovic is averaging better than 16 points and five rebounds per game for the three-time defending Italian champions.
