Azuolas Tubelis draws Domantas Sabonis comparisons from Tommy Lloyd after 40-point game
Azuolas Tubelis had a career game in Arizona’s 91-76 win over Oregon on Thursday night. Tubelis led the way with 40 points and 9 rebounds.
The 40 points, a career-high for Tubelis, stood out as the most scored by a Pac-12 player this year and the most by a Wildcat in 28 years.
🇱🇹 Ąžuolas Tubelis with one for the books: the big man was simply flawless and unstoppable all game long against Oregon and he’s now one of only three players in Arizona history to post a 40-point effort at McKale Center
40 PTS • 16-21 FG • 8-9 FT • 9 REB • 3 AST • 3 STL pic.twitter.com/r459aT9IVG
— CBB Europe (@CBB_Europe) February 3, 2023
After the game, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was asked how Tubelis compares to Domantas Sabonis, a 3-time NBA All-Star.
“I mean, obviously, Lithuanian, lefty, men of few words,” Lloyd said to chuckles from reporters. “There’s definitely some similarities. I don’t think it’s fair at this point to compare Zu because you look at Domantas in the NBA and he’s an All-Star.
“I definitely know in my mind Zu is an NBA player. I’ve coached enough of them. He is an NBA player. The way he moves and runs, the effortlessness he can play with at a high level is pretty special.”
Tommy Lloyd says “there’s definitely some similarities” between Azuolas Tubelis and Domantas Sabonis.
“Lithuanian. Lefty. Men of few words.”
Added Lloyd: “I know in my mind Zu is an NBA player. I’ve coached enough of them. He is an NBA player.” pic.twitter.com/FuTNKQO9GQ
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 3, 2023
Tubelis and the Wildcats have now won their last 5 games. They’ll look to make it 6 against Oregon State on Saturday.
