University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson has announced that Kristupas Keinys (Klaipeda, Lithuania) will join the Golden Gopher program for the upcoming season. Keinys joins the Gopher freshman class of Kadyn Betts, Cam Christie and Erick Reader.
“We’re happy to have Kristupas join our program and complete our 2023-24 roster,” Johnson said. “Kristupas is long and athletic with a big upside. He’s a really tough, skilled athlete with a high basketball IQ. Kristupas loves the game, loves to compete and we’re looking forward to having his work ethic in our gym.”
Keinys, a 6-8, 185-pound forward most recently played with Klaipėdos Neptūnas-Akvaservis in his home country of Lithuania the past three seasons. In 2022-23, Keinys played 26 minutes per game in the National Basketball League (NKL), where he averaged 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 38 games played. He also shot 42 percent from the field that season. Keinys also played with Lithuania’s team at the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2022 where he averaged 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and shot 44 percent in 16 minutes played. During the 2021-22 season, Keinys averaged 14 minutes 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds. Playing with Lithuania at the Next Generation Tournament, Keinys averaged nine points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 blocks. Keinys also participated in the 2020 Baltic Cup with the Lithuanian 16-year-old national team, which won first place.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)
