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The Kazimieras Giedraitis Interview (Lithuania)

 


Name: Kazimieras Giedraitis

Hometown: Vilnius, Lithuania

Height: 6-1

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

High School: Menaul (NM)

Graduation Class: 2025

AAU Club: New Mexico Mambas

GPA: 3.8

Recruiting Email: kazimieras.giedraitis@gmail.com 

Status: Uncommitted

ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- Kazimieras Giedraitis (Kuh•zi•mye•ras Gye•dry•tis) is a 6-1 Combo Guard from Vilnius, Lithuania. He's currently a junior at the Menaul School, and runs with the NM Mambas on the West Coast Elite Grassroots circuit. In his first season in the States, Giedraitis averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while hitting 41% from beyond the arc to help lead the Panthers to a 16-13 and a deep postseason run in 2A. Giedraitis is the third member of the Menaul School, behind international talent Nojus Zalenekas and Ugnius Jasevicius, to join the RPN Factory.

Giedraitis is the 46th international kid to join the brand. Hosting 46 players from all seven continents doesn't come easy, but adding in the Lithuania product, he comes from a tough line of combo guards in the 2025 class. Very decisive with the ball, can score smoothly at all three levels, and has leadership qualities showing by example, Giedraitis is a good long term project. Not too flashy, not the most athletic, but the 6-foot-1 guard plays to his strengths, and is valuable to any program through high character. Can't wait to see how the rest of his career plays out moving forward.

The RPN caught up with the Lithuanian prospect on his first year experience, junior season and preparation heading into the last chapter.

Kazimieras Giedraitis Interview
When did you first start playing basketball?
  • "I started playing basketball at 8 years old. I remember falling in love with basketball through the NBA before actually playing it. I remember watching highlights and mixtapes everyday, as well as staying up all night to catch the NBA games. Having such amounts of media coverage showcasing basketball culture, made me want to associate my future with it that much more."

Can you describe your game from the skill standpoint?
  • "My first option will always be to get by the defender. Then evaluate the situation, go up by myself, or kick it out. I like to get to my spots, especially the midrange as I prefer it off the dribble. Also, would consider myself a good option out of PnR's, or off ball screen. Where I play with a sense of calmness and exploit the advantages."

How was life growing up in Lithuania?
  • "Growing up in Lithuania, basketball was always around. Even if you didn't like the sport as much as others, you knew what was going on. The people is what I find most different between back home and the US. They are a lot more stoic, less expressive and calm. That was very visible on the court as well. Minimum celebrations, no shouting, just nods and a couple of smiles."

Transferring to a new country comes with many different things to think about. With opportunities, leaving family and discovering new life. But, why did you decide to transfer from Vilnius to Albuquerque and how was the process behind it?
  • "The process of coming to the US was long to say the least. My family and I were looking for possible schools and opportunities for over a year. Until we found Menaul, which seemed (and is) a great fit for me. Life came at me pretty quick the first month I got here. A lot more responsibilities, maintaining relationships overseas, and making sure to perform in the classroom and on the court."

How was junior season?
  • "Individually I had a pretty good season. Accomplished every goal that I set to myself before the season, adapted to the american game, be efficient and establish myself as one of the better players in my class in New Mexico. Now being ranked 31st in the class of 2025 on PrepHoops, I am blessed. Team wise, the season was full of ups and downs. We had a fairly new team and ended our season losing in the first round of state playoffs. We had higher hopes for the season, but keeping in mind that we are young and new to each other, the season was a success."

You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?
  • "I believe in order to be great, putting extra work in is mandatory. I've been doing that my whole life, and I don't know any other way. All of my summers since I can remember have been dedicated to basketball, and getting myself into better shape. Daily cardio, plyometrics, weightlifting and basketball skill training on top of that would consist of a day in my life during the summer. I make my workouts during the summer way harder in order that the in season ones wouldn't phase me. I could focus more on the actual basketball part, rather than the physical one."

Who is your favorite basketball player and why?
  • "My favorite basketball player of all time is the late great Kobe Bryant. He is the person who made me fall in love with the sport. I started getting into basketball during the 2015-2016 season, which was Kobe's last. Finding out about him and his legacy, watching countless videos of him, and annoying my parents to get me his jersey for Christmas were just some of the things I did. Also the way he played the game was also so 'ethical' and pure. The effortless athleticism, the finesse in the footwork, he was a perfect basketball player. Looking back I realized that I learned much more from him off the court than I did on. His discipline, outlook on life, and reaching for greatness formed a person whom I strive to be."

Who would you consider your role models?
  • "The people who I look up to with my role models are my parents. I cannot thank them enough for raising me the way that they did, and instilling a sense of confidence, awareness and discipline in me. I thank them so much for giving me the opportunities I need to reach my goals and dreams. They have accomplished so much in their lives, and I can't wait to see what they have up next."

What do you believe are the greatest challenges most players are facing today? 
  • "I'll give you two. One for players in Europe and one for the US. Back home in Europe, I fell like the mental side of the game is a big struggle for a lot of players. Back then with me included. It is not the fault of the players, I feel like basketball in Europe is way too professionally approached from too young of an age. For some players that is the perfect situation and fit, but for others: AKA not the stars of their club/team, it's really difficult to find the love for the game that made you fall in it. It could shatter your confidence on the court. As for the US, the transfer portal is the biggest obstacle I've seen. It makes complete sense for the college coaches and programs. Why would you recruit a high school kid? If you can get a 20 year old with college basketball experience. It may not seem fair for high school recruits, but that is the way college basketball is moving, and the business side of it is evolving right next to it."

As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?
  • "Ideally in college, I look for quite simple things. Most importantly though my major and or minor I want to study for academics. Then, of course a pretty good basketball program and coach. Lastly, a nice campus and culture to go along with it."

What is the outlook heading into the last chapter?
  • "Heading into my senior year, I have goals for the team. Such as finishing the regular season with no more than seven losses, win the district championship, and being within the last eight teams standing in the state and having fun while doing it. As for myself I would love to get All-District honors and All-Academic teams. Keep up the good efficiency, increase it, and lastly receive my first college offer."

Close to wrapping this up, but let’s think through this question. What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next five years? Rap to me.
  • "In the next five years, I want to finish high school, play college basketball, get a degree, maybe even degrees. While doing that I want to meet new people, go to new places, maintain relationships, and experience as much life as possible."

Thank you Kazi for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?
  • "Of course. I want to say that you shouldn't compare yourself with anyone. Everyone's path is different. You should always go to a place, or be with people who value you and your presence. That's how I've made the most out of my opportunities and you should too."

Twitter @KazimierasG

Kazimieras Giedraitis Junior Season Highlights https://youtu.be/bXXfoKkv7ys?si=BGtdWp0Dp82Pq7VM


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Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA