DELFI / Šarūnas Mažeika
Like Arvydas Sabonis, Šarunas Marčiulionis, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas and Darius Songaila before them, the Lithuanian pair would go on to be selected in the NBA Draft in New York City.
Kleiza, 20, was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with pick 27; a franchise which had gained a popular Lithuanian following through Sabonis in the late 1990s.
However the side was persistent on recruiting Jarrett Jack therefore Kleiza, and Ricky Sanchez, would eventually line-up with the Denver Nuggets.
The 203cm Lithuanian played College basketball with the University of Missouri Tigers as well as guiding Lithuania to the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship final, as the tournaments leading scorer.
Kleiza would play in the NBA until the end of 2013, playing 409 games with both Denver and the Toronto Raptors.
Sadly, Andriuškevičius would not feature as popularly on the NBA circuit.
The 19-year-old was drafted by the Orlando Magic (with pick number-44) however would immediately traded on this day to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His brief career in 2006 would last for six games, including a win against 101:87 win against the San Antonio Spurs; before then travelling to Spain spending four seasons with CB Lucentum Alicante.
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