<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">The shortest SEB BBL player <metric2 metric_text="cm" metric_value="177" w:st="on" />178 cm</metric2 /> Tomas Rinkevicius compensates the lack of height with speed and quickness. It seems like Nevezis Kedainiai leader does it successfully as he’s averaging 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in the SEB BBL. He’s not only the leading playmaker in his team but also does most of its scoring.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- Is this season the top of your career?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- If you look only at the stats, you could say it’s the best season in my career. We have a great collective here in Kedainiai. Team’s playing style is acceptable for me, so that’s probably the reason why I can showcase my abilities. We play open basketball, the coach is free of improvisation, there are no frames in our performance. I really like the way we play.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p> </p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />I’ve had more good seasons in my career. For example with Nafta Mazeikiai club we’ve won LKAL championship in 2001 and advanced to the LKL. In our debut season we ended up 5’th. It’s too early to talk about achievements this season, because the most important games are ahead of us.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- You’re the leading scorer and also assists maker in your team. Does it oblige?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- Every player is interested in his statistics. The fact that I’m the leader in one or another category means that I spend a lot of time on the court. However, I don’t give prominence to it. The most important thing is that team benefits from it. It’s great when both team’s and my individual performances are good. Once I step on the court, I don’t think that I have to score most points. Of course, if my team needs it, I can make things happen.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- Last year you played in Atletas and then in <place w:st="on" /><country-region w:st="on" />Belarus</country-region /></place />. Why did you leave <city w:st="on" /><place w:st="on" />Kaunas</place /></city />’ club.</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- There was a mutual agreement to end the contract. I’ve had a better offer from foreign team. I’ve accepted it because of better situation. Moreover, we’ve became the champions of Byelorussian league. I don’t regret what I’ve done.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- This season you play in Nevezis. What do you think about this team?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- In comparison with the previous season, the team is new. There are only 3 players that remain on the roster from the last season. We lacked of teamwork early in a season, but the whole collective is friendly and we try to get to know each other better. Because of that club’s results apparently improves. After the New Year, we play much better in SEB BBL we’ve won 2 games out of 3 and I think we’ll keep improving.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- You’re the shortest SEB BBL and LKL player. Do you feel any discomfort? How do you play against bigger opponents?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- Sometimes it’s not easy. It’s extremely tough when the direct opponent is about <metric2 metric_text="cm" metric_value="20" w:st="on" />20 cm</metric2 /> taller, but then I try to play quicker and also wiser. I don’t feel any discomfort. I don’t even regret that I’m shorter than other players, I’m happy with what I am.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- It’s the second season for you in SEB BBL. How could you evaluate the competition level?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- Comparing with the last season, SEB BBL championship is much stronger, especially Latvian clubs, less – Estonian. No Lithuanian teams really stepped up. This league brought a lot of positive things for LKL teams. There are more intrigue playing against the opponents.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><br />- This season in Nevezis for you is just in-between in your career or do you plan to stay longer?</strong></p><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" /><p /><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />- I don’t know yet. I play where it’s better for me and where circumstances are favorable. All those circumstances is a matter of negotiation and you can arrange it.</p>