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Olympic NBA Prospect Power Rankings: August 8

By Matthew Medley

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 07: Dario Saric
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 07: Dario Saric /
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Aug 7, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lithuania small forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas (19) shoots a free throw against Brazil in a mens preliminary basketball game at Carioca Arena 1 during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lithuania small forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas (19) shoots a free throw against Brazil in a mens preliminary basketball game at Carioca Arena 1 during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Mindaugas Kuzminskas might have the best nickname of any player in Rio: “the Angel-Faced Assassin,” and he came up big for Lithuania in its opening game.

The 26-year-old played 20 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points and hauling in five rebounds. Three of his boards were on the offensive glass and the energetic forward provided a spark for Lithuania, knocking down a three and cleaning up a rebound for a put back.

He also was a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line.

Kuzminskas will be a key part of Lithuania’s rotation in these games and makes up a deep roster that can contend for a medal.

Lithuania appears to have an even better chance than originally expected after Spain’s surprising loss and the top seed in Group B could come down to a showdown between those two teams.

As disappointed as Knicks fans were by Hernangomez’s performance and lack of playing time, they had to be encouraged by Kuzminskas in his opening game against Brazil.

Lithuania led by as many as 30 early in the third quarter, but the host nation cut the deficit to four with two minutes to play.

Kuzminskas made some of his contributions early, when the team was leading by a large margin, but he also was a big factor down the stretch, as head coach Jonas Kazlauskas trusted him on the court in crunch time.

Kuzminskas was on the court for the final four minutes of the game and was one of the Lithuanians who held off the Brazilians from achieving the comeback.

It’s only one game, but Kuzminskas showed some flashes that are promising for a player who has a chance to be a part of the Knicks rotation in Madison Square Garden and who one day hopes to back up Carmelo Anthony.

Next: 4. Domantas Sabonis