Francis Lacis Latvian 3x3 Olympic Team

[Old Titan]

A little surprised to learn that Francis Lacis is listed on the Latvian 3x3 basketball team for the Paris Olympics. 

Though he has played for Team Latvia before, I don't recall him being on the most recent roster when they qualified earlier this year; perhaps they had an injury and he's filling the spot?

Regardless, congratulations to Francis - I think he's the first non-track & field Olympian from ORU.  Latvia plays the United States in pool play on August 1st, but who knows when or if it will be broadcast/streamed here in the states.

 

[2014Grad]

Obi was on team Nigeria last Olympics! He may have only played in a game or two, I can’t recall…

[Old Titan]

3 minutes ago, 2014Grad said:

Obi was on team Nigeria last Olympics! He may have only played in a game or two, I can’t recall…

I couldn't remember if Obi Emegano made the Nigerian Olympic team, or if he was instead a member of their NATIONAL team that played the USA in the World Championships.

[2014Grad]

Makes sense! Just double checked box scores and he averaged about 20 mpg in their three group stage losses. I follow him on social media and definitely remember him posting from the Olympic village and sharing his experience. Very cool to see and one of my personal favorite ORU players to have been around!

Not to detract from your post, also really cool for Francis!!

Edited July 26, 2024 by 2014Grad

[GoldenEagleFan]

Judging from Francis’ social media pages, he has been playing with the Latvian National Team 3v3 team for several months if not longer. Go Latvia!

[Old Titan]

52 minutes ago, GoldenEagleFan said:

Judging from Francis’ social media pages, he has been playing with the Latvian National Team 3v3 team for several months if not longer. Go Latvia!

Disappointed there has yet been no mention of his Olympic participation from ORU Media Relations.

Perhaps they too were caught by surprise by his reappearance on the Latvian roster, from which he had been absent of late. 

[ORUTerry]

 

[Bogus Smith]

3 minutes ago, ORUTerry said:

 

 

59 minutes ago, Old Titan said:

Disappointed there has yet been no mention of his Olympic participation from ORU Media Relations.

Perhaps they too were caught by surprise by his reappearance on the Latvian roster, from which he had been absent of late. 

Who says that no one is reading our message board??  

[titansforever]

Dominique Allen (WBB) was an Olympian in 2012.

https://www.southland.org/news/2012/7/3/GEN_3727.aspx?path=general

[titansforever]

This was on ORU's FB page in April:

[Old Titan]

 

[Old Titan]

Not sure what I was seeing back in the spring where Francis was not listed in the Latvian box scores; according to this FIBA press release he was a key figure in their qualifying clincher in Hong Kong.

The question now is:  why was Latvia having to play an Olympic-qualifying clincher halfway around the world in Hong Kong?? 

https://www.fiba.basketball/news/latvia-basketball-3x3-men’s-national-team-for-paris-2024-olympics-announced

AND, "Did You Know?" - Latvia is the defending gold-medal winner from the 2020 Tokyo games in the sport's Olympic debut?

Would be really cool if Francis and the Latvians played the USA in the medal round!

[titansforever]

These are the game times (Central Time).

[ORUTerry]

 

[titansforever]

Latvia won gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Can they do it again? 

[2014Grad]

Watched my first 3x3 game today and didn’t know how different it was! Only 12 second shot clock that starts when the other team scores(clear still required), 1s and 2s like pickup, women’s sized ball but men’s weight etc. Very interesting to say the least! 
GO FRANCIS!

[Old Titan]

12 hours ago, 2014Grad said:

Watched my first 3x3 game today and didn’t know how different it was! Only 12 second shot clock that starts when the other team scores(clear still required), 1s and 2s like pickup, women’s sized ball but men’s weight etc. Very interesting to say the least! 
GO FRANCIS!

And, in many cases including these Olympics, it's played OUTSIDE.  Gotta take the wind into account before you shoot a three!

Resembles good ol' blacktop pick-up game "runs" down at the local park.

[jmg1984]

What station and time is it on today?