Latest news with #Bieliauskas
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin basketball signee shines in FIBA EuroBasket championship
Wisconsin basketball signee Lithuanian forward Aleksas Bieliauskas fared well in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket championship game on Sunday. In more than 30 minutes of action, Bieliauskas tallied a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. That production was not enough to lift Lithuania to the championship, however, as Italy triumphed 83-66. The performance caps off an impressive FIBA EuroBasket circuit for the incoming Badger. In seven games, he averaged 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in 24.4 minutes. Sunday's 17-point, 12-rebound showing was his best performance, leading a 10-point, 11-rebound output in the group stage against Greece, 15-point games against both Romania and Poland, and a 16-point, seven-rebound effort in a quarterfinal win over Slovenia. Bieliauskas committed to the Badgers back in April, reportedly choosing them over significant interest from Kansas. He most recently averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and one block per game for Zalgiris II in Lithuania's second-tier minor league. Notably, the forward's addition followed the offseason departure of depth forward Xavier Amos, a move that significantly thinned out Wisconsin's frontcourt rotation. The Badgers have since also added Temple transfer Elijah Gray to further bolster the position. Bieliauskas projects to play a depth role as a freshman with the Badgers in 2025-26. He, sophomore Riccardo Greppi and freshman Will Garlock will contend for minutes behind the team's top frontcourt trio of Nolan Winter, Portland transfer Austin Rapp and Gray. For more, here is our latest projection for Wisconsin's starting lineup and rotation entering the 2025-26 season. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball Aleksas Bieliauskas stats FIBA EuroBasket final
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball signee shines in FIBA EuroBasket championship
Wisconsin basketball signee Lithuanian forward Aleksas Bieliauskas fared well in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket championship game on Sunday. In more than 30 minutes of action, Bieliauskas tallied a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. That production was not enough to lift Lithuania to the championship, however, as Italy triumphed 83-66. The performance caps off an impressive FIBA EuroBasket circuit for the incoming Badger. In seven games, he averaged 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in 24.4 minutes. Sunday's 17-point, 12-rebound showing was his best performance, leading a 10-point, 11-rebound output in the group stage against Greece, 15-point games against both Romania and Poland, and a 16-point, seven-rebound effort in a quarterfinal win over Slovenia. Bieliauskas committed to the Badgers back in April, reportedly choosing them over significant interest from Kansas. He most recently averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and one block per game for Zalgiris II in Lithuania's second-tier minor league. Notably, the forward's addition followed the offseason departure of depth forward Xavier Amos, a move that significantly thinned out Wisconsin's frontcourt rotation. The Badgers have since also added Temple transfer Elijah Gray to further bolster the position. Bieliauskas projects to play a depth role as a freshman with the Badgers in 2025-26. He, sophomore Riccardo Greppi and freshman Will Garlock will contend for minutes behind the team's top frontcourt trio of Nolan Winter, Portland transfer Austin Rapp and Gray. For more, here is our latest projection for Wisconsin's starting lineup and rotation entering the 2025-26 season. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball freshman forward guides Lithuania to win at EuroBasket U20 tournament
Wisconsin basketball freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas starred for Lithuania at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament on Sunday. Bieliauskas, who officially signed with the Badgers on May 8, dropped 15 points, snared eight rebounds and logged a steal in Lithuania's 106-66 victory over Romania in group play on Sunday. The 6-foot-9 forward shot 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the charity stripe as the second-leading scorer on the team. The future Badger also accounted for 10 points and a team-best 11 rebounds in his country's opening contest of the circuit against Greece. That preceded tallies of six points, eight rebounds and three steals in an 82-79 defeat at the hands of Czechia on Monday. Through three group stage games, he's averaged 10.3 points and a team-leading nine rebounds off 52.6% from the floor. Hailing from Kaunas, Lithuania, Bieliauskas boasts previous FIBA experience. In the 2023 U-18 European Championships, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds off 46.3% in seven appearances. During the 2022 U17 World Cup, he was responsible for 8.6 points (48.3% FG) and 9.6 rebounds per game. Against a United States squad rostering future NBA players Cooper Flagg, Jeremiah Fears Jr. and Ronald Holland, Bieliauskas even showed out with eight points and 11 rebounds in the semifinals. Outside of FIBA play, Bieliauskas last played for Zalgiris II in the Lithuanian NKL. In 45 contests, the newly-signed Badger averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per match off a blistering 39.3 percent clip from beyond the arc. Bieliauskas is one of two international signees in Wisconsin's class of 2025, alongside New Zealand guard Hayden Jones. Jones just competed in the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup alongside future Badger Jackson Ball (class of 2026). Like Jones, Bieliauskas' two-way ability and willingness to stretch the floor make him a unique talent with rotational upside for UW as he progresses in the United States. Bieliauskas projects to suit up alongside forward Elijah Gray, transfer guard Braeden Carrington and returning guard Jack Janicki on the bench this coming season. UW begins that journey with an exhibition against Oklahoma in late October in Milwaukee. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Perth Now
Chilling new details on 20-hour rescue
The rescuers behind a daring mission to save a trapped Lithuanian tourist in Tasmania by cutting off his leg have spoken for the first time about the shocking decision they had to make. Valdas Bieliauskas, a 66-year-old Lithuanian adventurer, was white water rafting along Tasmania's Franklin River with friends in November last year when he slipped and wedged his leg between rocks and fast-running water. What followed was a 20-hour high-intensity mission involving police, paramedics, surf lifesavers, air-rescuers and health services that ended with the kayaker's leg being amputated at the scene. Rescuers and Mr Bieliauskas spoke to Australian Story, sharing new detail on how the dynamic rescue took place. Rescue teams worked for 20 hours to save Mr Bieliauskas. Credit: Supplied, Tasmania Police Mr Bieliauskas was travelling with 10 fellow rafters along the river when he became trapped. His companions first tried to rescue him themselves, before calling for help using a satellite phone, Australian Story reported. When rescuers arrived they tried every thinkable option to save Mr Bieliauskas — they attempted to spread the rocks, drilled a tripod to lift him, and tried pure brute force to lift the kayaker. 'I began to think, maybe I'm destined to stay here, stuck, forever,' Mr Bieliauskas told the program. Eventually the rescuers had to make a harrowing decision, to amputate the Lithuanian's leg. Rescuers tried every option to save the kayaker. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire Intensive Care flight paramedic Rohan Kilham told the ABC he felt 'so conflicted'. 'If this goes ahead, you might kill him. 'But even if it all goes perfectly, he'll never be the same again.' Another rescuer Adrian Petrie told the program Mr Bieliauskas' demeanour had 'totally changed' as hypothermia set in, necessitating the amputation. 'I'd never had to hurt someone to save their life,' Mr Petrie said. Even then, the amputation is not without its challenges, with the only doctor in the rescue team, Nick Scott, breaking his wrist in a sudden fall as he made his way towards the water's edge. Hours later, another doctor, Jorian Kippax, was winched on to the scene. He told ABC he was reluctant, but knew the only way to save the tourist was to proceed with the amputation. 'The inevitable consequence of him staying there was death, and that was going to be quite soon,' he said. Mr Bieliauskas was knocked out with ketamine during the operation, but when he was freed his fellow rafters feared the worst. One Lithuanian compatriot Arvydas Rudokas told the ABC: 'The colour of his skin, and the body … my diagnosis was Valdas is dead.' The group was white water rafting along the Franklin River. Credit: Supplied, Tasmania Police Mr Bieliauskas recovered in the Royal Hobart Hospital following the operation and returned to his home-country in January this year. At the time Tasmania's Department of Health Acting Secretary Professor Dinesh Arya praised rescuers and emergency workers for their part in saving Mr Bieliauskas ' life. 'This is a great example of a whole of health system and cross-agency effort that has resulted in this man's life being saved.' Now, in an unexpected twist the Lithuanian kayaker told Australian Story he planned to return to the Franklin River in 2026 and finish what he started.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What Greg Gard said about Wisconsin basketball signing international F Aleksas Bieliauskas
What Greg Gard said about Wisconsin basketball signing international F Aleksas Bieliauskas Wisconsin basketball officially announced the signing of Lithuanian forward Aleksas Bieliauskas on Thursday. Bieliauskas committed to the Badgers in late April, reportedly choosing them over Kansas. He is set to arrive with the program's class of 2025 later this summer. The 6-foot-9 forward recently averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the floor and 39.3% from 3 for Zalgiris II in Lithuania NKL, the country's second-tier basketball minor league. He also appeared in a handful of games in its top league, the LKL. The combination of Bieliauskas' size and shooting ability makes him an intriguing addition to the Badgers' lineup, one that had a glaring need for depth in the frontcourt. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard cited the forward's size and playing experience when discussing his addition on Thursday. "We are excited to have Aleksas join us," Gard said in a release. "His size and experience will be an immediate asset to our program. As we've watched the collegiate recruiting landscape expand internationally, our staff has done a phenomenal job of identifying and connecting with some very good prospects. Aleksas is excited to get to Madison this summer and we can't wait to help him continue to grow as a student-athlete as he transitions toour program and university." Bieliauskas is the Badgers' second international signee with the class of 2025, joining New Zealand shooting guard Hayden Jones. The program's heightened overseas recruiting efforts continue to pay dividends. In the case of Bieliauskas, those efforts appear to have secured a potential multi-year starter. The 19-year-old forward will have an immediate path to playing time in 2025. The team appears set with frontcourt starters Nolan Winter and transfer Austin Rapp. Significant bench minutes are available behind that top duo. As of May 9, Bieliauskas projects as a top contender for those reserve minutes, along with sophomore Riccardo Greppi, another international signee, and incoming freshman Will Garlock. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
