Beriashvili's father: we hope he'll one day play for Latvia's senior team
After Latvia's U16 team won gold at the European Championship, the father of tournament MVP Benjamins Janis Beriashvili said he hopes his son will one day represent Latvia's senior national team.
Latvia's U16 basketball team won gold at the European Championship on Sunday, beating France 75:69 in the final. Young talent Benjamins Janis Beriashvili was named the tournament's most valuable player.
After the game, his father Richards spoke to Radio SWH about his son's near-term plans and possible future in Latvian basketball. Once back in the United States, Benjamins will return to high school and continue playing there, with the family later turning to decisions about college and where he might want to play next.
Hope for a return
Richards said he did not want to speak too far ahead, but expressed hope that the family would return to Latvia again and that his son would get the chance to try out for the senior national team.
He also said that Benjamins' mother, Lasma Jekabsone-Beriashvili, had been convinced since her son's birth that he would one day play for Latvia. The boy reportedly grew up watching players such as Kristaps Porzingis, and when the opportunity arose to play for Latvia, the family decided without hesitation to take it.
Richards Beriashvili concluded by saying that winning gold with the Latvian team was an incredible experience for the family.
