KAUNAS (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) – After missing the last two summers with the national team, Donatas Motiejunas is now optimistic about being able to help Lithuania in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Having been included in the 18-player squad for training camp by head coach Dainius Adomaitis, the 26-year-old confirmed he intends to play, barring any unforeseen obstacles.

"I'm positive things will work out and I'll be able to play," Motiejunas told media at his annual talent camp in Kaunas. "I met with coach Adomaitis a couple of days ago and we talked about the plans and possibilities of me joining the team."

After missing FIBA EuroBasket 2015 with a back injury, the player claims health is no longer an issue. The point that does raise some questions, however, is his impending free agency.

Dragged out contract negotiations already prevented Motiejunas, then a restricted free agent, from playing at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but the player insists the situation is 'very different' this time around, since he will now be free to sign with any club.

"I was more concentrated on signing a deal last year before thinking about the national team. Now, even if nothing goes through, I think I will come and play," said Motiejunas, who hopes not to keep coach Adomaitis and the national team's fans in suspense for too long.

"A lot still depends on where and when I sign a contract, how long it will all take and, naturally, the attitude of the team towards me playing for the national team."

While he might not necessarily be there when Lithuania's first training camp starts on July 21 in Palanga, the big man hopes to find his new destination in the NBA within a month.

"I was not given a deadline [by the national team], but it would be good to sort everything out until the end of July, but I told coach Adomaitis that it probably won’t take that long. It rarely does," the player explained.

Motiejunas, a silver medalist at FIBA EuroBasket 2013, last represented Lithuania at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain, where the Baltic nation finished just outside the podium in fourth place.

"I think I can prove and will prove to everyone that I can still play at a high level. It’s only a matter of time and finding the right fit team-wise," he said.

While still featuring the duet of Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas and Oklahoma City Thunder four-man Domantas Sabonis in the frontcourt, the national team may need Motiejunas more than ever in recent history, with veterans Paulius Jankunas and Antanas Kavaliauskas taking a summer off and captain Robertas Javtokas announcing retirement.

Lithuania will play in Group B of the tournament in Tel Aviv alongside the national teams of Georgia, Germany, Italy, Ukraine and the hosts, Israel.

FIBA