D’Angelo Russell (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star D’Angelo Russell has yet to achieve two significant milestones: an NBA title and an Olympic medal. While the Lakers star has bolstered his resume with accolades like the NBA Cup trophy and an NBA All-Star selection, Russell has set his sights on Olympic glory.
Russell has not yet participated in the Olympics. The Lakers star hoped to represent Lithuania, his wife Laura Ivaniukas’ ancestral country. His connection to Lithuania through his wife and their children inspired this aspiration.
However, this dream recently faced a significant roadblock. The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) announced that it would not naturalize Russell for its national team.
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation has officially denied any plans to naturalize D’Angelo Russell or involve him in the national team 👀🇱🇹 pic.twitter.com/eYhV7dzR5r
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) November 26, 2024
“Recent media speculation in Lithuania about Russell potentially joining the team lacks any factual basis. The LKF has neither initiated a naturalization process nor communicated with Russell on this matter,” the federation said in a statement.
LKF President States Reason For Snubbing D’Anglo Russell’s Name
The LKF has not taken steps to naturalize D’Anglo Russell, effectively closing the door on his opportunity to wear the Lithuanian jersey. LKF President Mindaugas Balciunas explained the decision, sharing the team’s focus on developing homegrown talent.
“The basketball-related decisions are handled by the coaching staff, led by head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis, and the national team program manager, Linas Kleiza. Their approach is clear: we aim to achieve success using our own talent pool. This is the right path, in my opinion. However, this issue goes beyond basketball,” Balciunas said.
Russell, who garnered attention for his bold takes on Los Angeles’ former coach, must set aside his Olympic aspirations and focus on his NBA journey. The Lakers star is averaging 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game this season.
PHOTOS: Everyone Was Saying The Same Thing About The Jaw-Dropping Hockey Fan Who Was Distracting The Crowd At Leafs-Devils Game
Female hockey fan (Photos via @danicoopps/IG)
A photo of a female hockey fan who was busting out of her jeans at a Leafs-Devils game in early 2024 has gone viral online again.
Said supporter was pictured in the stands wearing a Devils Jack Hughes jersey, but that was probably the least interesting thing about her as a lower body part caused her to trend on X.
A new set of photos of her showing her assets off has popped up online ahead of the weekend, with one of the accounts posting asking, “Are you a hockey fan?”
Check it out right below:
