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DeRozan And Valanciunas Set For Round Of 16 In Spain

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com 

FIBA World Cup action picks up on Saturday when Round of 16 play opens. Team USA will face off against Mexico at 10 a.m. while Lithuania will be playing New Zealand on Sunday morning at 10 a.m.

We’re a week into the World Cup and things are going according to plan for Team USA and Lithuania. With both teams winning their respective groups in the opening round, they will continue on when the Round of 16 starts on Saturday.

Not surprisingly, Team USA rolled over each of their opponents in opening-round play. From their first contest, a 114-55 trouncing of Finland, to Thursday’s 95-71 victory over Ukraine, Team USA has dominated, winning by an average of 33.2 points in their first five games. 

Toronto Raptors swingman DeMar DeRozan has averaged 5.4 points and 1.4 assists on 47 percent shooting in 12 minutes per game in pool play. As the opening round went on, the coaching staff started going to the fifth-year guard earlier in the game. 

DeRozan’s best showing was against the Dominican Republic in a 106-71 victory for Team USA. Playing 18 minutes, he scored 11 points, grabbed two rebounds, dished two assists and recorded three steals. He also provided the highlight reel play of the day when he drove to the hoop and delivered a vicious, poster-worthy dunk. 

As the team moves forward it is unlikely that DeRozan will suddenly take on a much bigger role, but the experience he’s getting is invaluable. Spending time with the best players in the league then going out and competing against the best international players in the world will only help DeRozan this coming season. Watching his teammates prepare, work, lead and compete is a huge opportunity for 25-year-old DeRozan as he embraces his role as a veteran leader with the Raptors.

Valanciunas Leading The Way For Lithuania

Lithuania’s World Cup chances suffered a blow with the loss of starting point guard Mantas Kalnietis to a broken collar bone shortly before the tournament began. Despite Kalnietis’ absence, Lithuania posted a 4-1 record in the opening round with their sole loss coming in an 82-75 decision to Australia. 

Raptors big man Jonas Valanciunas has led the way for Lithuania. Valanciunas is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and one block in 21 minutes per game. He shot 78 percent from the floor through Lithuania’s first five games and has successfully handled the pressure that was on him when things kicked off.

In Lithuania’s opening contest against Mexico, an 87-74 victory, Valanciunas scored 17 points on a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor. In their next game against Angola, a 77-62 decision for Lithuania, he recorded an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double.  Valanciunas had trouble facing off against Aron Baynes of Australia in Lithuania’s one loss in group play. Attempting just three field goals in 18 minutes, Valanciunas finished with four points to Baynes’ 14 points. Raptors fans might recall the trouble Valanciunas had with Baynes in 2013 during Las Vegas Summer League.

With veterans Linas Kleiza (knee injury) and Sarunas Jasikevicius (recently retired) out of the picture, the Lithuanian national team is expecting Valanciunas to lead them. So far, despite the hiccup against Australia and being on the bench during Lithuania’s thrilling comeback against Slovenia on Thursday he has embraced the challenge.