FIBA U19 World Championship gold medal winner with USA national team in 2009 is taking steps to acquire Lithuanian citizenship.

John Shurna who is currently a member of Joventut Badalona would be eligible to receive Lithuanian passport through his Lithuanian roots.

Gazzetta dello Sport’s journalist Guido Guida tweeted that Shurna is close to getting Lithuanian citizenship:

24-year-old power forward would be available to play for Lithuanian national team. Having EU citizenship would also draw more attention from European teams as he won’t be considered foreigner in some leagues.

Shurna’s representatives told to that it was his decision to apply for citizenship and that Lithuanian Basketball Federation has not reached out to him.

The news about Shurna’s application for Lithuanian passport came in a short time after local media was discussing the possibility of Nik Stauskas joining national team before it was revealed that he has committed to Canada.