Next Up: Three Lithuanian Talents Worth Tracking
While not every young player bursts onto the scene as a can’t-miss superstar, some quietly lay the groundwork for something more. In this report, we highlight three Lithuanian prospects who may not yet be household names, but have shown flashes of potential across domestic leagues and international play. Whether it’s a standout performance, strong leadership traits, or steady development within a respected system, each of these players has something that makes them worth watching as they take their next steps forward.
Article by Simonas Vasiukevičius | July 2, 2025
Nojus Bukauskas
Date of Birth: 2005
Height: 184 cm (6'0")
Dominant hand: Right
Nationality: Lithuanian
Position: Guard
Nojus Bukauskas, a 2005-born Lithuanian guard, made a late-season splash against the defending Lithuanian champions, delivering a breakout performance in the final regular-season game of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). In just 31 minutes of play, he posted 25 points, 8 assists, and a standout 36 efficiency rating—a performance that underlined his potential when given the opportunity.
Throughout the season, Bukauskas was officially part of the Kedainiai "Nevezis" roster but saw limited action until the final stretch in May. In parallel, he played for Kedainiai Sporto Centras in the Regional Basketball League (RKL), appearing in 15 games before his final outing with the team on May 3rd. During that span, he averaged 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 26 minutes per game, with an efficiency rating of 19.
Strengths:
· Speed & Transition Offense: Bukauskas is a fast, aggressive guard who excels in fast-break situations and looks to push the pace at every opportunity.
· Driving Game & First Step: His explosive first step allows him to consistently attack the paint and finish inside, which is his primary scoring method.
· Midrange Touch: His second option offensively is a midrange jumper, which he uses when defenders cut off his drives.
· Ball Security: Averaging just 1.5 turnovers per game, he shows good ball-handling and decision-making for his age and role.
· Defensive Activity: With 2 steals per game, he’s active on defense and often looks to disrupt passing lanes.
· Efficiency Around the Rim: Shoots an efficient 63% on two-point field goals, indicating strong finishing ability.
· Free Throw Reliability: Converts 75% from the line, giving confidence in his touch when fouled.
Areas for Improvement:
· Three-Point Shooting: Currently a major limitation in his game. Bukauskas shoots just 25.5% from beyond the arc on 3.7 attempts per game, and often hesitates even when left open.
· Defensive Awareness: While he brings intensity, he tends to lose track of assignments in team defense, especially in pick-and-roll situations.
· Over-Gambling: Often tries to jump passing lanes for steals, which can backfire and leave him trailing on defense.
· Transition Defense: Needs to show more urgency in getting back on defense after offensive plays break down.
Development Outlook:
For the upcoming season, increased playing time with Kedainiai "Nevezis" would be an ideal step in his progression. However, if that’s not available, a move to the NKL (Lithuanian National Basketball League) would offer him valuable minutes and a platform to continue refining his game in a competitive setting.
Moving on from Nojus Bukauskas, we shift our focus to Mantas Liutkevičius—a player who brings a different approach to the game. More of a traditional point guard, Liutkevičius stands out for his willingness to facilitate, encourage teammates, and communicate constantly on the floor. While his primary instinct is to distribute and organize the offense, he’s also shown that he can take over and score when the situation demands it.
Mantas Liutkevičius
Date of Birth: 2007
Height: 184 cm (6'0")
Dominant hand: Right
Nationality: Lithuanian
Position: Point Guard
Mantas Liutkevičius, an 18-year-old point guard, recently completed his first season split between Vilnius "Rytas"' second team in the NKL (National Basketball League) and third team in the RKL (Regional Basketball League). Though his role in the NKL has been limited—understandable for a first-year player—his performances in the RKL have offered a much clearer glimpse into his future potential.
In the NKL, Liutkevičius averages 3.9 points and 2.3 assists in about 10 minutes per game. These are modest numbers when compared to Lithuania's top-tier prospects, but his development arc becomes more visible in the RKL, where he has been the clear leader of his team. There, he averaged 18.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 28 minutes per game, showing that he can both shoulder the scoring load and create opportunities for others.
Strengths:
· Leadership & Communication: Liutkevičius is vocal, animated, and engaged—often the first to hype up teammates after a good play, and regularly interacting with coaches during games, even during free throws.
· Ball Handling: Comfortable with both hands, allowing him to stay composed and effective under pressure.
· Passing Vision: A creative and capable passer who can find teammates in good positions. Occasionally overambitious, but generally displays good instincts.
· Defensive Awareness: Though undersized, he understands when to drop back or help on defense. He’s active in trying to knock the ball loose from drivers.
· Competitive Edge: Shows no hesitation when it comes to initiating or absorbing contact, a key trait for guards in high-level play.
· Offensive Responsibility: His RKL numbers reflect his ability to command the offense and make plays consistently.
Areas for Improvement:
· Three-Point Shooting: Attempts 3.7 threes per game in the RKL, hitting 32.3%. While not poor, it needs improvement to become a reliable weapon in his game.
· Off-Ball Involvement: He tends to fade out of offensive sequences when he's not handling the ball, needing more consistent off-ball movement and awareness.
· Shooting Mechanics: While the form is fundamentally solid, he lacks elevation—an issue for a guard his size. Additionally, he requires time to adjust before getting his shot off, limiting his effectiveness in catch-and-shoot situations.
· Physical Matchups: Defensively, opponents look to exploit his size. He competes well, but physical development will be crucial for higher-level play.
Development Outlook:
At 18, Liutkevičius is in the early stages of his professional development. His leadership, passing ability, and willingness to learn stand out. As he continues to gain experience at the NKL level, progress in his shooting mechanics, off-ball presence, and physical strength will be critical. If he addresses those areas, he has the potential to evolve into a steady, well-rounded floor general.
Moving from Mantas Liutkevičius, we now turn our attention to another promising member of the Vilnius "Rytas" youth system. This time, the spotlight shifts from the backcourt to the frontcourt, as we take a closer look at a forward who brings a different skill set to the floor—one built on mobility, offensive creativity, and international experience.
Adomas Pocius
Date of Birth: 2007
Dominant hand: Right
Height: 199 cm (6'6")
Nationality: Lithuanian
Position: Power Forward
The final player in this trio of prospects is Adomas Pocius, an 18-year-old power forward who, like Mantas Liutkevičius, is part of the Vilnius "Rytas" youth system. Standing at 199 cm (6'6"), Pocius is currently splitting his time between the club’s third team in the Regional Basketball League (RKL) and its second team in the National Basketball League (NKL). While his role in the NKL remains limited and his statistical output unremarkable, Pocius has found other opportunities to shine—most notably on the international stage.
Pocius is a two-time FIBA Basketball Champions League (BCL) Youth Tournament champion, playing a valuable role in Rytas’ youth team's success. This year, he averaged 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with a 13.5 efficiency rating during the BCL Youth competition—demonstrating that he can perform under high-level pressure in international environments.
In the RKL, he’s one of the more relied-upon players in the rotation, averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game. However, one unusual aspect of his profile is his lack of rim protection—0 blocks per game despite playing the power forward position.
Strengths:
· Ball Skills & Dribbling: Rare for a forward, Pocius can handle the ball well and use his dribble to create space, especially near the basket.
· Face-Up Game: Prefers to start from the perimeter, using his first step and momentum to drive into the paint. His ability to operate from the three-point line inward is a clear strength.
· Shot Creation: Shows comfort in one-on-one situations, including fadeaway jumpers off the dribble, which add variety to his offensive game.
· PnR Execution: Excels in pick-and-roll situations, using them to create driving lanes or force defensive rotations.
· International Composure: His performances in the BCL Youth Tournament suggest that he rises to the occasion in competitive settings.
Areas for Improvement:
· Physical Strength: Lacks strength and weight for his position, which leads to him being outmuscled under the basket by stronger opponents.
· Shot Blocking & Rim Protection: Averaging 0 blocks per game in the RKL. This is partially explained by his modest wingspan, but it remains a notable gap in his profile as a frontcourt player.
· Three-Point Shooting: Occasionally attempts to stretch the floor but hits only 30% from beyond the arc, indicating inconsistency.
· Frame Development: While he shows flashes of explosiveness, his slender build limits his ability to finish through contact or hold defensive position in the paint.
Development Outlook:
Adomas Pocius is an offensively skilled, modern-style forward who operates best facing the basket. His ability to dribble, initiate offense from the perimeter, and make plays on the move gives him a unique edge. However, his long-term development will depend heavily on physical growth—both in terms of strength and body control—as well as sharpening his defensive tools. With the right physical and technical progression, he could evolve into a versatile and dynamic forward.
That wraps up our look at three young Lithuanian players who’ve caught some attention for different reasons. They’re not finished products—not even close—but that’s what makes following their progress so interesting. Whether they break through in the top leagues or take a slower path, they’ve each shown something that’s worth keeping an eye on. Let’s see where the next season takes them.