KLAIPEDA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Renaldas Seibutis is one of only two players over 30 years old called up by coach Dainius Adomaitis for the upcoming Qualifiers games against Hungary and Kosovo.

The 32-year-old, best known for his mid-range jumper and unshakeable never-give-up attitude on the defensive end, will be more than just a shooting guard for Lithuania.

As one of the more experienced players on the roster, Seibutis is expected to not only be a steady contributor on the floor but also commandeer the locker room alongside team captain Ksistof Lavrinovic, who will turn 39 this year.

"I AM REALLY HAPPY THAT GUYS WHO COME TO THE CAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND ARE SET TO SUIT UP FOR LITHUANIA, CARE SO GENUINELY" SeibutisSeibutis

There are four changes to Lithuania's squad compared to what it was for the November window. Healthy-again Marius Grigonis and newcomers Edgaras Zelionis and Martynas Echodas step in for the injured Arnas Butkevicius, Deividas Gailius and Gediminas Orelik.

Meanwhile, coach Adomaitis also elected to delegate back-up point guard duties to Basketball Lowen Braunschweig point guard Zygimantas Janavicius, who replaced Sarunas Vasiliauskas in the squad.

Will the new reinforcements make up for the losses? While he remains optimistic, Seibutis isn't rushing to any conclusions about the strength of the roster for the February games.

"We will see. The coach has to select the players on how they fit his system and style of play; the ones that are in the best shape at that given moment in time. That's why this format is interesting: you have to count on the players who are available," the shooting guard shared.

"HOPEFULLY, WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WE'LL ONCE AGAIN BE HAPPY WITH THE ON-COURT RESULTS, LIKE AT THE END OF THE NOVEMBER WINDOW" SeibutisSeibutis

Lithuania have always been known to have a uniquely close-knit atmosphere in the team and the two veterans, Seibutis and Lavrinovic, will be the main players tasked with keeping it that way.

"I think we'll get some chemistry going in the little time we have. Hopefully, when all is said and done, we'll once again be happy with the on-court results, like at the end of the November window," Seibutis said in reference to the two wins in as many games that came at the expense of Kosovo and Poland.

Even before training camp started, he was already putting in extra efforts off the court by showing the ropes to his Neptunas teammate Edgaras Zelionis, who is set to make his national team debut during this window.

"He called me the day before [training camp started] all excited. He was asking what to bring, what not to bring and other similar questions," Seibutis smiled.

"I told him what I knew and what I felt he needed to know. There's nothing super out of the ordinary here, except for that special feeling [of representing your country for the first time], which has stuck with me to this day."

Seibutis made his national team debut back at the FIBA Basketball Word Cup 2010 in Turkey, when Lithuania came out of nowhere to finish third. Since then, he has also been on the podium at the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 and 2015.

"I remember myself in this exact situation and what I felt back then," he recalled. "I am really happy that guys who come to the camp for the first time and are set to suit up for Lithuania care so genuinely. I see it in a very positive light."

Lithuania will play both of their February games in Klaipeda, welcoming Hungary on February 23 before hosting Kosovo three days later.

FIBA