Ąžuolas Tubelis
Ąžuolas Tubelis (born 22 March 2002) is a Lithuanian college basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats of the Pac-12 Conference. Listed at 6 feet 11 inches (2.1 m) and 245 pounds (111 kg), he plays the power forward position.
No. 10 – Arizona Wildcats | |
---|---|
Position | Power forward |
League | Pac-12 Conference |
Personal information | |
Born | Vilnius, Lithuania | 22 March 2002
Nationality | Lithuanian |
Listed height | 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) |
Listed weight | 111 kg (245 lb) |
Career information | |
College | Arizona (2020–present) |
Playing career | 2018–present |
Career history | |
2018–2020 | Rytas Vilnius |
2018–2020 | →Perlas |
Youth career
In May 2018, Tubelis won the 2017–18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) with the U18 team of Lietuvos rytas Vilnius.[1] On 18 October 2018, he signed a long-term contract with Rytas Vilnius.[2] In the 2018–19 season, he played for Perlas in the National Basketball League (NKL), the second-tier league of Lithuania. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.[3] In February 2019, Tubelis played for Rytas' U18 team at ANGT Kaunas, where he was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, three steals and 2.8 blocks per game.[4] In June 2019, Tubelis took part in the Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp in Riga.[5]
In 2019–20, Tubelis split playing time between Perlas and Rytas' senior team, emerging as one of the top players in the NKL.[6] He debuted for the senior team in a 6 October 2019 win over Juventus Utena.[3] Tubelis scored an LKL season-high 11 points in a victory over Šiauliai on 1 February 2020.[6] At ANGT Kaunas in February 2020, he averaged 20.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, leading Rytas' U18 team to first place and earning tournament most valuable player honors.[7] Later that month, Tubelis participated in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.[8] In 25 NKL games, he averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.[9]
On 27 May 2020, Tubelis committed to play college basketball for Arizona. He joined the team with his twin brother, Tautvilas.[10] Tubelis was considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports.[11]
National team career
Tubelis played for Lithuania at the 2016 FIBA U16 European Championship in Radom, where he averaged 4.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.[12] At the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship in Novi Sad, he averaged 14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.[13] Tubelis represented Lithuania at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Volos, averaging 14.9 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.[14]
Personal life
Tubelis has a twin brother, Tautvilas, who also plays basketball and has represented Lithuania at the international level.[10] Tubelis' first name, Ąžuolas, translates to oak in Lithuanian and was given to him by his grandfather.[15]
References
- Hein, David (11 February 2020). "Tubelis rises to challenge against archenemy Zalgiris". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "„Rytas" pasirašė ilgalaikę sutartį su jaunučių rinktinės lyderiu Tubeliu" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- "Tubelis: „Žaisti „Ryte" man reiškia labai daug"" (in Lithuanian). Basketnews. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- "Kriisa named MVP of ANGT Kaunas". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "U16 European MVP Prkacin, Marciulionis and talented Germans headline BWB Europe Camp". FIBA. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Vanagas, Tomas (5 February 2020). "NKL jaunųjų krepšininkų reitingas: viršūnę pasiekė mitybą pakeitęs 20-metis" (in Lithuanian). Basketnews. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Hein, David (9 February 2020). "Tubelis takes home MVP as Rytas takes first place". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Givony, Jonathan; Schmitz, Mike (19 February 2020). "NBA draft stock watch: Standouts from the Basketball Without Borders". ESPN. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "Ąžuolas Tubelis / Žaidėjai - NKL". nklyga.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Givony, Jonathan (27 May 2020). "Arizona lands international basketball prospect Azuolas Tubelis, twin brother". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Daniels, Evan (27 May 2020). "Arizona lands international star Azuolas Tubelis". 247Sports. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- Hein, David (16 January 2018). "Who to watch at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Kaunas". heinnews. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "Azuolas Tubelis (LTU)'s profile - FIBA U16 European Championship 2018". FIBA. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- Hein, David (5 February 2020). "ANGT Kaunas: Players to Watch". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- Hein, David (24 April 2019). "Tubelis is solid as oak for Rytas". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 28 May 2020.