What LA Lakers’ new prospect said when called ‘Lithuanian Bronny James’

Augustas Marciulionis’s father, Sarunas, was a Lithuanian NBA pioneer who played for the Warriors, Kings, Nuggets, and SuperSonics. He was the first Lithuanian in the league, paving the way for others like Kristaps Porzingis.

Now his son Augustas has an opportunity to make a name for himself in professional basketball.

The 23-year-old played college basketball at St. Mary’s in Oakland but had already made his professional debut as a teenager back home in Lithuania before that.

An interview with AP News earlier this year described Marciulionis as ‘basketball royalty’ back in Lithuania due to his dad.

However, when asked if he was the Lithuanian version of Bronny James, he responded: “No. No, no. It’s not that.”

The age gap between Augustas and his father is much wider though – Sarunas is now 61 years old.

How Marciulionis could help the Lakers

Standing at 6ft 4in, Marciulionis attracted attention during his time at St. Mary’s.

“We’ve had a lot of good point guards… He’s at the top,” said his coach Randy Bennett.

Regarded as the ‘conductor’ of St. Mary’s offence in recent years, he is one of only three players from the college to achieve both 1,000 points and 500 assists.