Mantas Kalnietis - EuroBasket 2011 Profile

Team 2010-11: Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL)
Career: Zalgiris-2 Kaunas (Lithuania-LKAL, 2003-04), Zalgiris-Sabonis Basketball School (Lithuania-LKAL, 2004-05), Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL, 2005-11)

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Central to the bronze medal success of Lithuania last summer in Turkey was the contribution of combo-guard Mantas Kalnietis. While he didn't shoot the ball as well as he is capable of, he did finish as the second top scorer on the team and dished out almost twice as many assists as any of his team-mates. Lithuania were crying out for a reliable playmaker who could help them reach the podium again and the Zalgaris man delivered having had only limited opportunity to shine at EuroBasket 2009. With his quickness and an impressive level of athleticism which often allows him to finish transition plays in style by throwing down a dunk, the aggressive style of Kalnietis is in stark contrast to the more refined approach of his predecessors. Even if some question the level of his passing and creative ability, he has shown he can do a really good job at the elite level and during EuroBasket 2011 he might just continue his development and establish himself as the new star for the National Team.