SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Skidmore College rising sophomore guard Edvinas Rupkus made the final roster for Lithuania in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U20 European Championship, July 16-24 in Helsinki.
 
Rupkus is the lone NCAA Division III player in the 16-team tournament that has 14 Division I players.
 
Lithuania is in Group A with Turkey, Hungary, and Germany. Serbia is the defending champion, while Turkey won in 2014 and finished third in 2015.
 
This will be the second international tournament for Rupkus who played in the 2012 FIBA 16U Championship. One of his teammates that year was former Gonzaga standout and Oklahoma City Thunder first round draft pick Domantas Sabonis who is expected to play on the Lithuanian Olympic team in Rio.
 
"The feeling is unreal, carrying your country's name on the chest is both an honor and a great privilege," Rupkus said after concluding a grueling tryout camp.  "Emotions that arise during games once again prove that basketball is more than just a game.
 
"I've gained a lot of experience and improved as a player. I'm ready to bring these skills back to Saratoga to help the Thoroughbreds be crowned in The Liberty League once again! Best wishes to all Skidmore faculty and students."
 
Tournament Live Stream and additional information may be found here: http://www.fiba.com/europe/u20/2016
 
The Baltic nation has won four medals at the FIBA U20 European Championships, while reaching the quarterfinals 10 times in 14 tournaments since 2000.
 
"We are so happy for Edvinas and his family," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "This is a tremendous honor and it speaks volumes about his ability and the pride he has in his country.
 
"We are all looking forward to following the Championships and to watch him compete against the best under 20 players in the world."
 
Rupkus was the 2016 D3hoops.com East Rookie of the Year and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year after he stepped into the Thoroughbreds' starting lineup in the fifth game of the season. The Liberty League Tournament MVP led the team in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game, good for fourth among league leaders. He was second in the league in field goal percentage, shooting from the floor at a .552 clip.
 
A five-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week selection, Rupkus recorded 20 or more points in 11 games, including a career-high 28 points in Skidmore's 88-80 NCAA second round loss to Tufts.
 
Skidmore finished 19-9, advancing to the NCAA Division III second round after winning a second straight Liberty League championship.