Jones, Bieliauskas, shine on world stage
July 21, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Freshman duo have led respective countries to top-four finishes at FIBA events this summer
MADISON, Wis. – A pair of Wisconsin men's basketball freshmen stole the show on the world stage this summer as Hayden Jones led New Zealand to a top-four finish at the FIBA U-19 World Cup, while Alex Bieliauskas led Lithuania to a silver medal at the 2025 Eurobasket Under-20 Tournament.
Jones averaged a team-high 14.6 points across seven games, leading New Zealand to a fourth-place showing, the country's best finish ever at the tournament. He also notched 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Tale of the 📼, featuring 🇳🇿 wing Hayden Jones
— Pro Insight (@_proinsight) July 8, 2025
💡FIBA U19 World Cup Group Stage: New Zealand vs. Mali, 6.29.25
💡Full video breakdown + stats ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/450SzirAAm
The 6-7 guard's best performance of the tournament came against host Switzerland as Jones tallied 26 points, nine boards and five dimes.
Thanks to his showing, Jones earned a call-up to the senior national team for the FIBA Asia Cup, August 5-17, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is his second career call-up after becoming New Zealand's fourth-youngest debutante in 2024.
Bieliauskas paced Lithuania to a runner-up showing at the Eurobasket Under-20 Tournament. The 6-9 forward averaged 12.4 points per game, while his 8.3 rebounds were the second-best mark of any player in the tournament.
One of his best games came in the gold medal game against Italy when Bieliauskas recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Wisconsin Freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas had a STRONG double-double in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket championships today for Lithuania 🇱🇹
— Hoops HQ (@hhqsports) July 20, 2025
17 Points (7/15 FG | 3/7 3PT)
12 Rebounds (4 Offensive)
1 Block
19 Efficiency @BadgerMBB @GregGard pic.twitter.com/Myqopf1OjU
