Despite the fact that the situation in the country is still complicated and does not allow to enjoy basketball at full speed, the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) managed to organise another bubble – the fourth “Generational talent” camp in Raseiniai. Both, coaches and participants, had to take COVID-19 tests and deliver a negative responses before coming to the camp.
This is the third „Generational talent” camp, that took place on the principle of a bubble, during which no positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded, and the young athletes had an excellent conditions to showcase themselves and gain knowledge.
„We are glad that during these difficult times we manage to organise a really great camp for youth. It can be seen that the boys lack a bit of competitive basketball experience. The information is quite complicated for them, but we’re glad that we can bring them together so they can train in one place. I think this is a bit of a step forward.
During the practice today, we tried to work on both – offence and defence. To understand the spacing in the offence, to understand the spacing on time, to understand the positions of your teammates, as well as in defence we tried to master the necessary things for defence, such as passing lanes, movement to the weak side from the strong”, – said European champion Donatas Slanina.
Saulius Kuzminskas, who once against joined the coaching staff of the camp, did not lack good mood and optimism. He spent more time than anticipated and willingly shared his experience.
„I am very glad that I was invited to the ” Generational Talent” camp. I would like to thank the Lithuanian Basketball Federation and personally Rolandas Radvila for the opportunity, the opportunity to work with the most talented fourteen-year-olds of Lithuanian basketball. It was truly an indelible experience of working with big guys and improving their skills. I hope that they will be able to gain new knowledge.
„Generational talent“ Boys’ team
[table “190” not found /]Of course, in such a short period of time it’s really hard to share everything you want, you can’t stop them every time, but I really hope that personally each of them will take at least a small piece and use it in their personal basketball journey. I see a lot of talent in these young guys and I really wish them not to stop, improve and participate in more than one basketball camp like this”, – said Saulius Kuzminskas.
Edvinas Justa and Jolanta Martinonienė led the girls’ training camp, who were happy to have the opportunity to participate in the camp during these difficult times.
“I really hope that those tips will help them to play basketball even better in the near future, you can really see that they have put a lot of effort into it, maybe not everything is working out like you would want, but that motivation and effort alone is driving them forward. The girls focus on the details, what helps them to absorb the information quite easily. They are receptive, fun girls who really want to work and we are very happy about that”- said Edvinas Justa.
„Generational talent“ Girls’ team
| Vardas pavardė | Krepšinio mokykla/Klubas | Pirmasis treneris |
|---|---|---|
| Dominykas Stenionis | Kauno KA „Žalgiris" | Saulius Marčiukaitis |
| Jokūbas Rubinas | Vilniaus KM | Renata Martinkienė |
| Hubertas Pivorius | Sostinės KM | Tomas Purlys |
| Mantas Rubštavičius | Panevėžio SC | Viktoras Apinys |
| Augustas Marčiulionis | Vilniaus „Rytas" | Rolandas Penikas |
| Liutauras Lelevičius | Kauno KA „Žalgiris" | Rolandas Rakutis |
| Edgaras Preibys | Mažeikų SM | Vladas Šulcas |
| Ąžuolas Tubelis | Vilniaus KM | Vytenis Tupčiauskas |
| Motiejus Krivas | Kauno „Žalgiris-3“ | Sigitas Polekas |
| Titas Sargiūnas | Kauno KA „Žalgiris" | Rolandas Rakutis |
| Rokas Jocius | Kauno KA „Žalgiris" | Julius Pranevičius |
| Radvilas Kneižys | Klaipėdos V.Knašiaus KM | Justas Bražas |
„Thanks to the Lithuanian Basketball Federation for the invitation, I really appreciate it and improve together with the girls. The material is good, and when there is good material, it only remains to work good on the court. In this camp, we mainly worked on movement on the court, defensive principles 3 v 3, 4 v 4. Additionally, we put a lot of emphasis on fast breaks. Advice for girls to rewatch the video material from the practice multiple times, study, put it in their head and then execute it on the court”, – said Jolanta Martinonienė.
„Generational talent” camp is a long-term project that is taking place for the sixth year. It is co-financed by the „FIBA Youth Development Fund”. All participants receive sportswear and detailed physical and medical examinations. According to them, specialists make individual recommendations on nutrition, what needs to be improved and what regime to follow. Specialists supervise young basketball players all year round.
The project will culminate in June, when the last camp will be held. If circumstances allow, the project should be crowned by the international Baltic Cup girls’ and boys; tournament, which will also take place in Kaunas in June.
