Ąžuolas Tubelis
{{short description|Lithuanian basketball player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Ąžuolas Tubelis
| image = Azuolas Tubelis 2 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Tubelis with Arizona in 2021
| position = Power forward / center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 245
| league = LKL
| team = Rytas Vilnius
| number = 10
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|3|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Vilnius, Lithuania
| high_school =
| college = Arizona (2020–2023)
| draft_year = 2023
| career_start = 2018
| years1 = 2018–2020
| team1 = Rytas Vilnius
| years2 = 2018–2020
| team2 = →Perlas
| years3 = 2023–present
| team3 = Rytas Vilnius
| years4 = 2023–2024
| team4 = →Neptūnas Klaipėda
| highlights = * LKL MVP (2024)
- All-LKL Team (2024)
- Consensus second-team All-American (2023)
- 2× First-team All-Pac-12 (2022, 2023)
- Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2021)
- Pac-12 tournament {{abbr|MOP|Most Outstanding Player}} (2023)
}}
Ąžuolas Tubelis (born 22 March 2002) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Rytas Vilnius of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats of the Pac-12 Conference. A power forward, he was named first-team All-Pac-12 twice with the Wildcats.
Youth career
In May 2018, Tubelis won the 2017–18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) with the U18 team of Lietuvos rytas Vilnius.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=Tubelis rises to challenge against archenemy Zalgiris |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/adtnrr3cuhrnsqs3/tubelis-rises-to-challenge-against-archenemy-zalgiris |publisher=Adidas Next Generation Tournament |access-date=28 May 2020 |date=11 February 2020}} On 18 October 2018, he signed a long-term contract with Rytas Vilnius.{{cite web |title="Rytas" pasirašė ilgalaikę sutartį su jaunučių rinktinės lyderiu Tubeliu |url=https://www.delfi.lt/krepsinis/naujienos/rytas-pasirase-ilgalaike-sutarti-su-jaunuciu-rinktines-lyderiu-tubeliu.d?id=79351005 |publisher=Delfi |access-date=27 May 2020 |language=Lithuanian |date=18 October 2018}} 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.{{cite web |title=Tubelis: "Žaisti "Ryte" man reiškia labai daug" |url=https://basketnews.lt/news-133712-tubelis-zaisti-ryte-man-reiskia-labai-daug.html |publisher=Basketnews |access-date=27 May 2020 |language=Lithuanian |date=17 October 2019}} 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.{{cite web |title=Kriisa named MVP of ANGT Kaunas |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/9gg3ng5scn4ifb87/kriisa-named-mvp-of-angt-kaunas |publisher=Adidas Next Generation Tournament |access-date=28 May 2020 |date=10 February 2019}} In June 2019, Tubelis took part in the Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp in Riga.{{cite web |title=U16 European MVP Prkacin, Marciulionis and talented Germans headline BWB Europe Camp |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/news/u16-european-mvp-prkacin-marciulionis-and-talented-germans-headline-bwb-europe-camp |website=FIBA |access-date=27 May 2020 |date=6 June 2019}}
In 2019–20, Tubelis split playing time between Perlas and Rytas' senior team, emerging as one of the top players in the NKL.{{cite web |last1=Vanagas |first1=Tomas |title=NKL jaunųjų krepšininkų reitingas: viršūnę pasiekė mitybą pakeitęs 20-metis |url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-137056-nkl-jaunuju-krepsininku-reitingas-virsune-pasieke-mityba-pakeites-20-metis.html |publisher=Basketnews |access-date=28 May 2020 |language=Lithuanian |date=5 February 2020}} He debuted for the senior team in a 6 October 2019 win over Juventus Utena. Tubelis scored an LKL season-high 11 points in a victory over Šiauliai on 1 February 2020. 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.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=Tubelis takes home MVP as Rytas takes first place |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/adpcfgrt5nl3cg8p/tubelis-takes-home-mvp-as-rytas-takes-first-place |publisher=Adidas Next Generation Tournament |access-date=27 May 2020 |date=9 February 2020}} Later that month, Tubelis participated in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.{{cite web |last1=Givony |first1=Jonathan |last2=Schmitz |first2=Mike |title=NBA draft stock watch: Standouts from the Basketball Without Borders |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28738286/nba-draft-stock-watch-standouts-basketball-borders |publisher=ESPN |access-date=28 May 2020 |date=19 February 2020}} In 25 NKL games, he averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.{{cite web |title=Ąžuolas Tubelis / Žaidėjai - NKL |url=http://www.nklyga.lt/zaidejai/20837-azuolas-tubelis.html |website=nklyga.lt |access-date=28 May 2020 |language=lt-LT}}
College career
On 27 May 2020, Tubelis committed to play college basketball for Arizona. He joined the team with his twin brother, Tautvilas.{{cite web |last1=Givony |first1=Jonathan |title=Arizona lands international basketball prospect Azuolas Tubelis, twin brother |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/29229552/arizona-lands-international-basketball-prospect-azuolas-tubelis-twin-brother |website=ESPN.com |access-date=28 May 2020 |date=27 May 2020}} Tubelis was considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports.{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Evan |title=Arizona lands international star Azuolas Tubelis |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Arizona-lands-international-star-Azuolas-Tubelis-147556278/ |publisher=247Sports |access-date=29 May 2020 |date=27 May 2020}}
On 2 February 2023, Tubelis posted a career-high 40 points and nine rebounds in an 91–76 win over Oregon.{{cite web |last1=Pascoe |first1=Bruce |title=Tubelis scores 40 in No. 5 Arizona's 91-76 rout of Oregon |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401490366 |website=ESPN |access-date=30 November 2021 |date=2 February 2023}} As a freshman, he averaged 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-Pac-12 honorable mention and All-Freshman Team.{{cite web |last1=Pedersen |first1=Brian J. |title=Tommy Lloyd looking for Azuolas Tubelis to ‘become dominant’ after productive freshman year |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2021/10/5/22710269/azuolas-tubelis-arizona-wildcats-tommy-lloyd-scoring-defense-dominant-sophomore-lithuania-2021 |website=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=30 November 2021 |date=5 October 2021}} Tubelis was named first-team All-Pac-12 as a sophomore and a junior.{{cite press release|url=https://pac-12.com/news/2022/3/8/2021-22-pac-12-mens-basketball-all-conference-honors-and-annual-performance.aspx|title=2021-22 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference honors and Annual Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva|publisher=Pac-12 Conference |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022}} He declared for the NBA draft, but was not widely projected to be selected.{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Pascoe|title=Officially done at UA, Azuolas Tubelis has chance to slide into NBA Draft|date=1 June 2023|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/officially-done-at-ua-azuolas-tubelis-has-chance-to-slide-into-nba-draft/article_70f1a036-00cc-11ee-8b77-9f494026f5ef.html|access-date=23 June 2023}} According to Seth Davis of The Athletic, there were questions on his ability to switch onto smaller players away from the basket.{{cite web|first=Seth|last=Davis|title=Eight college star sleepers for the 2023 NBA Draft: Sanogo, Strawther, Bailey and more|date=13 June 2023|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/4606258/2023/06/13/nba-draft-sleepers-adama-sanogo/|url-access=subscription|access-date=23 June 2023}} ArizonaSports.com wrote that his slow footspeed could be a concern.{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Zimmerman|title=Report: Wildcats’ Azuolas Tubelis not taken in NBA Draft, signs with 76ers|date=23 June 2023|website=ArizonaSports.com|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3526451/azuolas-tubelis-not-taken-nba-draft-signs-76ers/|access-date=3 July 2023}}
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Tubelis joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA Summer League.{{cite press release|title=Roster and Schedules Announced for Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA 2K24 Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas|date=30 June 2023|publisher=Philadelphia 76ers|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/2023-summer-league-roster-schedules-announced|access-date=3 July 2023}} Afterwards, on 17 July 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the 76ers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.{{cite web|title=Ąžuolas Tubelis Signed to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/azuolas-tubelis-signs-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=17 July 2023|access-date=17 July 2023}} However, he was waived by the 76ers on 25 October.{{cite web|title=Ricky Council IV Signed to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/ricky-council-iv-signed-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=25 October 2023|access-date=26 October 2023}}
On 8 November, he re-signed with Rytas Vilnius and then was loaned to Neptūnas Klaipėda of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL).{{cite web|title=„Rytas“ pasirašė sutartį su Ą. Tubeliu ir pristatė naują rėmėją|url=https://www.rytasvilnius.lt/lt/naujienos/rytas/n/rytas-pasirase-sutarti-su-a-tubeliu-ir-pristate-nauja-remeja-1816/?fbclid=IwAR2yGq1MeCIazIm_izdVvJimYhuRVLK-HRJKzNyrToBM0IM7oj4t3-ZMIVE|website=RytasVilnius.lt|date=8 November 2023|access-date=9 November 2023|language=Lithuanian}} On 14 May 2024, Tubelis received the LKL Most Valuable Player Award after averaging 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks during the regular season.{{cite web|title=Su trenksmu į Lietuvą grįžęs Ą. Tubelis – reguliariojo sezono MVP|url=https://lkl.lt/straipsniai/7569/su-trenksmu-i-lietuva-grizes-a-tubelis-reguliariojo-sezono-mvp|website=lkl.lt|language=Lithuanian|date=14 May 2024|access-date=10 June 2024}} He led Neptūnas to an eight-game winning streak which helped the team secure a playoff spot.
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.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=Who to watch at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Kaunas |url=http://www.heinnews.com/basketball/nba/who-to-watch-at-the-adidas-next-generation-tournament-kaunas/ |publisher=heinnews |access-date=29 May 2020 |date=16 January 2018}} At the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship in Novi Sad, he averaged 14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.{{cite web |title=Azuolas Tubelis (LTU)'s profile - FIBA U16 European Championship 2018 |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u16/2018/player/Azuolas-Tubelis |publisher=FIBA |access-date=29 May 2020}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=ANGT Kaunas: Players to Watch |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/adejo3prru6g34ig/angt-kaunas-players-to-watch |publisher=Adidas Next Generation Tournament |access-date=29 May 2020 |date=5 February 2020}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"|Arizona
| 26 || 20 || 26.7 || .498 || .310 || .692 || 7.1 || 1.2 || .6 || .6 || 12.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2021–22
| style="text-align:left;"|Arizona
| 36 || 35 || 24.6 || .540 || .263 || .669 || 6.2 || 2.3 || 1.1 || .7 || 13.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2022–23
| style="text-align:left;"|Arizona
| 35 || 34 || 30.1 || .570 || .313 || .764 || 9.1 || 2.0 || 1.1 || .7 || 19.8
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 97 || 89 || 27.1 || .544 || .295 || .714 || 7.5 || 1.9 || 1.0 || .7 || 15.6
{{s-end}}
Personal life
Tubelis has a twin brother, Tautvilas, who also currently plays basketball for the Arizona Wildcats and has represented Lithuania at the international level. Tubelis' first name, Ąžuolas, translates to oak in Lithuanian and was given to him by his grandfather.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=Tubelis is solid as oak for Rytas |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/9mbkbrwayd3xaqx9/tubelis-is-solid-as-oak-for-rytas |publisher=Adidas Next Generation Tournament |access-date=28 May 2020 |date=24 April 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/-260-382-uolas-tubelis/11157 Arizona Wildcats bio]
- [https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/74989/azuolas-tubelis Proballers profile]
- [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Azuolas-Tubelis/Summary/120959 RealGM profile]
{{BC Rytas current roster}}
{{LKL MVP}}
{{2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tubelis, Ažuolas}}
Category:All-American college men's basketball players
Category:Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Vilnius
Category:Lithuanian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Lithuanian men's basketball players