New Wing Commit: Kristupas Keinys

FinnGopher · Jun 21, 2023

Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.

The SF Rock · Jun 21, 2023

And working on his shots. We list him as a wing (does not have a good shot), and they list him as a guard. The clips I see show some 3 point shots but mostly near the bucket. Good defensive clips. Seems to have a good handle. An unknown but Ben has turned into a recruiting genius so we will see how/where he fits.

JZABR · Jun 21, 2023

Bob_Loblaw said:
The league he is playing in isn't very good. It's the third highest ranked league in Lithuania. Basketball in Europe is similar to soccer in Europe, there are a series of leagues that relegate and promote.

The top league in Lithuania (LKL) relegates to the second best league in Lithunia (NKL) which relegates to the third best league in Lithuania (RKL) which is the league that his team plays. This league is full of 17/18 year olds. There are no former NBA players/American college players in the RKL.

For some perspective, Mutaf currently plays in the top league in Spain but when he first left Minnesota, he played in the third highest ranked league in Spain. However, that league is much stronger than its Lithuanian counterpart. It's mostly to do with $$, the Spanish lower leagues are genuine minor leagues - actual professional basketball players.

All of that said, I do agree with your post. I like his potential with us and even if he doesn't pan out, it's exactly what I had been crying about for months. There is no excuse to not at least fill out your scholarships and see where things land. I'd rather take risks than eat scholarships. He is a 6'7" guy who is pretty athletic and can at least shoot a little bit. He looks raw but he looks like he could provide some depth at a position of desperate need. Plus, he is kind of a fun prospect to root for.

You're right, I didn't look too much into the league level, but the fact he's playing professionally is a good thing, experience-wise. And he's 6-7 is also nice. Looks like he has pretty decent handles so he can probably play multiple positions at some point.

Bob_Loblaw · Jun 21, 2023

FinnGopher said:
Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.

I don't really believe in needing to build your body for basketball - unless you're fat.

6'7" 195 lbs is big enough to play in the Big 10 at wing.

Bobek · Jun 21, 2023

International players on the Gopher roster have not worked out too well in the past. The guy from Turkey a few years ago was ok. Hope this one is an actual player ready for significant minutes.

Minnesara · Jun 21, 2023

TNGophfan said:
No longer in TN. Retired to Sarasota area. Should probably change my handle.

Pretty rainy in Sarasota today. Needed it. Gotta be some good hoopsters down here but hard to sell them on the U. Beach sand and salt water for road sand and salt.

60's Guy · Jun 21, 2023

FinnGopher said:
Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.

Ya, if he can't play let's have him tie up a scholarship for 5 years....keep the designated 7 happy.

Formerswish · Jun 22, 2023

Bob_Loblaw said:
I don't really believe in needing to build your body for basketball - unless you're fat.

6'7" 195 lbs is big enough to play in the Big 10 at wing.

And this guy doesn't have to be a starter or provide 12 pts/game. He does look athletic, he can rebound and has a pretty high number of blocks. If he can come off the bench and provide some energy, good interior defense, and guard 3's and some 4's in this league for 5-6 min a game, he'll be a valuable piece for this team.

BleedGopher · Jun 22, 2023

Go Gophers!!

CentralGopher · Jun 22, 2023

Rockraven said:
And working on his shots. We list him as a wing (does not have a good shot), and they list him as a guard. The clips I see show some 3 point shots but mostly near the bucket. Good defensive clips. Seems to have a good handle. An unknown but Ben has turned into a recruiting genius so we will see how/where he fits.

I had no idea there was another 3 point line closer to the basket.

The SF Rock · Jun 22, 2023

CentralGopher said:
I had no idea there was another 3 point line closer to the basket.

There is a box of lines called the lane, but those shots are only good for 2. I’m thinking about hosting a blog called Basketball for Minnesota Dummies. That was likely the only poorly constructed sentence in the ‘hole history of basketball.

Spaulding!No! · Jun 22, 2023

Doogie was in the Sid side when kfan talent went into 1 of 2 camps. 1. Camp Sid. 2. Camp dark star. Dark star won and the Sid army was shown the door

USAF · Jun 22, 2023

Rockraven said:
I’m thinking about hosting a blog called Basketball for Minnesota Dummies.

Right in your wheelhouse. Amongst your peers.

Rouser · Jun 23, 2023

Have we talked ourselves into his potential yet?

Some guy · Jun 23, 2023

Bobek said:
players on the Gopher roster have not worked out too well in the past. The guy from Turkey a few years ago was ok. Hope this one is an actual player ready for significant minutes.

FIFY

bga1 · Jun 23, 2023

Rouser said:
Have we talked ourselves into his potential yet?

On this site?

nooram · Jun 23, 2023

Minnesota Basketball Recruiting: Minnesota Adds Keinys to the Program

University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson has announced that Kristupas Keinys (Klaipeda, Lithuania) will join the Golden Gopher program for the

247sports.com

alchemy2u · Jun 23, 2023

Rockraven said:
His weight is a concern. His quickness, aggressiveness, and +40% 3 point shooting plus he doesn’t need to work the boards are mitigating fractures. Durability is my concern.

He is young and an incoming freshman..... very few of them are ready for the banging of the B1G!

Wait until he gets into the B1G weight lifting program.

alchemy2u · Jun 23, 2023

Rockraven said:
There is a box of lines called the lane, but those shots are only good for 2. I’m thinking about hosting a blog called Basketball for Minnesota Dummies. That was likely the only poorly constructed sentence in the ‘hole history of basketball.

You said it awkwardly and he made a joke about it.

BFD

You sure seemed to be impressed with your own knowledge of basketball, should we erect a statue for you at William Arena?

howeda7 · Jun 23, 2023

alchemy2u said:
You said it awkwardly and he made a joke about it.

BFD

You sure seemed to be impressed with your own knowledge of basketball, should we erect a statue for you at William Arena?

Maybe after his 8 figure NIL check clears...

alchemy2u · Jun 23, 2023

topos said:
... We are due for some Euro luck!

That is how Gonzaga made it up the recruiting pecking order, by using Euro players.

Ben is having problems closing the deal on some US players with his track record. Go find some jewels in Europe and build the wins to attract better local players.

Dave H · Jun 23, 2023

It is much easier to be optimistic about a player none of us know from Europe than some player from a school none of us know! Even if this kid doesn't work out it is a smart move for a variety of reasons. Good job Ben!

Spaulding!No! · Jun 23, 2023

I wonder when Barreiro might address the Ben gopher record.

GopherBlood666 · Jun 23, 2023

Spaulding!No! said:
I wonder when Barreiro might address the Ben gopher record.

It won't be until after he is fired. Barreiro is a total coward on most things.

Costa Rican Gopher · Jun 24, 2023

I like this signing for all the reasons already mentioned here. He fills an open roster spot, he has some athleticism, etc. From watching video he's clearly a scrappy player, plays weak side defense, passes well, has a nice looking stroke, and handles pretty well for a 6'7" wing. Someone posted on another site regarding his low 3 points %, that the 3 point line in Europe is further away than in the US, so that might (?) help explain 25% from 3?

WoodburyTim · Jun 24, 2023

Rockraven said:
Yeah I know. Most people aren’t too bright. They only think about themselves. How is everything in Rocky Top. We have a wet week out here near the beach.

It is nice to see Rockraven try to make a friend. They say the first one is the toughest to make.

The SF Rock · Jun 25, 2023

WoodburyTim said:
It is nice to see Rockraven try to make a friend. They say the first one is the toughest to make.

Never could break through with GopherJake.

Bob_Loblaw · Jun 28, 2023

WoodburyTim said:
It is nice to see Rockraven try to make a friend. They say the first one is the toughest to make.

Hopefully now he can consolidate down to one screen name so he doesn't have to pretend to be some other lunatic on this board agreeing with him.

The SF Rock · Jun 28, 2023

Be your own fan club, Bobby. My mom likes me too!

GopherOhana · Aug 5, 2023

has thee been a kristupas sighting yet? haven't heard if he's made it to the US

New Wing Commit: Kristupas Keinys

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Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player. ​

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Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player. ​

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Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player. ​

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Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.

Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.

Kristupas Keinys reminds me of Will Tschetter from Stewartville when he left for Michigan. Keinys may be best served by a redshirt year to practice and build his body for college basketball. He may be a good practice player.