Ąžuolas Tubelis

Ąžuolas Tubelis (born 22 March 2002) is a Lithuanian college basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats of the Pac-12 Conference. Standing 2.07 m (6 ft 9 1⁄2 in), he plays the power forward position.

Ąžuolas Tubelis
Arizona Wildcats
PositionPower forward
LeaguePac-12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2002-03-22) 22 March 2002
Vilnius, Lithuania
NationalityLithuanian
Listed height2.07 m (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight110 kg (243 lb)
Career information
CollegeArizona (2020–present)
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020Rytas 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
  1. Hein, David (11 February 2020). "Tubelis rises to challenge against archenemy Zalgiris". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. "„Rytas" pasirašė ilgalaikę sutartį su jaunučių rinktinės lyderiu Tubeliu" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  3. "Tubelis: „Žaisti „Ryte" man reiškia labai daug"" (in Lithuanian). Basketnews. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  4. "Kriisa named MVP of ANGT Kaunas". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  5. "U16 European MVP Prkacin, Marciulionis and talented Germans headline BWB Europe Camp". FIBA. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  6. Vanagas, Tomas (5 February 2020). "NKL jaunųjų krepšininkų reitingas: viršūnę pasiekė mitybą pakeitęs 20-metis" (in Lithuanian). Basketnews. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  7. Hein, David (9 February 2020). "Tubelis takes home MVP as Rytas takes first place". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  8. Givony, Jonathan; Schmitz, Mike (19 February 2020). "NBA draft stock watch: Standouts from the Basketball Without Borders". ESPN. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  9. "Ąžuolas Tubelis / Žaidėjai - NKL". nklyga.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  10. Givony, Jonathan (27 May 2020). "Arizona lands international basketball prospect Azuolas Tubelis, twin brother". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  11. Daniels, Evan (27 May 2020). "Arizona lands international star Azuolas Tubelis". 247Sports. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  12. Hein, David (16 January 2018). "Who to watch at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Kaunas". heinnews. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  13. "Azuolas Tubelis (LTU)'s profile - FIBA U16 European Championship 2018". FIBA. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  14. Hein, David (5 February 2020). "ANGT Kaunas: Players to Watch". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  15. Hein, David (24 April 2019). "Tubelis is solid as oak for Rytas". Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
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