“I think he will not be able to play in the European Championship, because things are very serious. Having been in basketball for all these years, I can tell you that too quick of a return can literally ruin a player’s career,” said Garastas, remembering that Sarunas Marciulionis had to prematurely end his career for reasons of similar sort.
“There’s still a long career lying ahead for Kleiza. He can show his patriotism, but a quick return might ruin the rest of his career. I just couldn’t risk that and will not rush Kleiza.”
According to the Lithuanian national team’s doctor, Vytenis Trumpickas, there are occasions where athletes make their return after 4-6 months, but that is determined by the severity of the injury.
“Who’ll score those 20 points? The team game should compensate the loss of Kleiza,” Garastas spoke. “Of course, he’s a unique play, we won’t have a player of his caliber, but we need to counter that with team game and tactics.”
The head of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation revealed that the goal of the national team is still to play in the final of EuroBasket 2011, which would automatically guarantee a place in the 2012 London Olympics.
“Kleiza isn’t available at the moment, but he could definitely help in London. And that’s very important,” Garastas highlighted.
