NBA basketball player Russell wants to represent Lithuania

VILNIUS - NBA basketball player D'Angelo Russell, 28, has expressed his desire to play for the Lithuanian men's national basketball team, the 15min new website reports on Friday.

The presidential office told the website it's aware of the American's wish. He now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

"The presidential office is aware of the basketball player and his personal ties to Lithuania, but no formal legal proceedings have been launched yet regarding his citizenship," presidential advisor Frederikas Jansonsas said.

According to 15min, Nauseda was told about Russell's interest in playing for Lithuania by the parents of NBA player Mantas Buzelis. Mindaugas Balciunas, president of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, says the presidential office "held consultations" on the situation a couple of months ago.

Russell is most interested in representing Lithuania at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 15min reports. He could play for Lithuania if Nauseda grants him citizenship. Russell's partner is Laura Ivaniukas, a Canadian of Lithuanian descent. The couple is not married but they share two children.

According to the law, the president can grant Lithuanian citizenship to foreigners or stateless persons by way of exception for their special merit after they have integrated into Lithuanian society.

Earlier this week, Nauseda granted Lithuanian citizenship to American ice dancer Allison Reed.