As the current Betsafe-LKL season is coming to an end, the 2023-24 All-LKL Team of the Lithuanian basketball league has officially been revealed, chosen by Betsafe-LKL team managers, coaches, and sports journalists.
Just like last year when Ahmad Caver (BC Wolves) and Marcus Foster were recognised as the two best guards, this year saw two Americans once again named to both top positions – Scoochie Smith and Rasheed Sulaimon.
The Uniclub Casino – Juventus point guard was selected to the mythical five roster but was not able to play in the semi-finals. S. Smith averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 16.8 EFF. His made basket in the third game of the quarter-finals gave Utena a one-point lead in the final seconds of overtime, but Gabrielius Maldūnas’ shot eliminated the Utena team from the fight for Betsafe-LKL postseason awards.
The scoring wizard of Wolves Twinsbet was a clutch bucket-getter and sank multiple game-winners/late-game baskets despite not playing for quite some time due to injury. R. Sulaimon is currently averaging 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 17.6 EFF so far this season as the Vilnius-based Wolves continue their fight for the first Betsafe-LKL trophies in club history.
Lithuanian basketball players claimed the remaining three highly coveted spots.
Ažuolas Tubelis was an obvious choice for a place in the top five after being named MVP of the regular season. The forward played for Klaipėda’s BC Neptunas on loan and logged 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 20.4 EFF throughout the regular season. Unfortunately, his monster season was not enough for the port city’s club to return to the top four after a long hiatus.
Deividas Sirvydis also locked a spot in the top five with an impressive season for 7bet-Lietkabelis of Panevėžys. After spending several years in the USA, the sniper returned to his homeland where he asserted his dominance. D. Sirvydis recorded 15.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 13.8 EFF and is leading the Panevėžys team in their fight for the bronze.
For the second straight year, Laurynas Birutis, center for BC Žalgiris of Kaunas, was selected for the Betsafe-LKL Five. He currently averages 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 16.1 EFF per 18 minutes of play. His efforts will be much needed by his club in the final series against BC Rytas, as the Kaunas squad will be without Keenan Evans.
