Mikalauskas speaks about dismissal

The Lithuanian voice on the other end of the phone line sounded all too familiar.

It was the one that had screamed in jubilation at Arizona fans and television cameras after Virginia’s huge upset over the Wildcats in Tucson last season.

It was the one that had explained to a television broadcaster in Atlanta that the reason UVa had defeated Georgia Tech was that “somebody had to pay.”

It was the one that had stuck around to talk to reporters after Virginia’s dismal loss to the Yellow Jackets a couple weeks later in the ACC Tournament.

But there was something different this time.

On Thursday, big man Lars Mikalauskas made his first public comments since Monday’s announcement that he had been booted from the Virginia basketball team. As Mikalauskas talked during a brief interview, one thing was obvious — he was still in shock.

“It still hasn’t hit me yet that I probably won’t ever have the chance to wear a Virginia uniform again,” Mikalauskas told The Daily Progress by phone from Lithuania. “I was looking so forward to my senior year and giving the fans everything I had.

“My shoulder feels great and I think I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since freshman year … I just can’t believe this is happening.”

Mikalauskas, who likely would have been Virginia’s starting center this season, didn’t want to go into the details of his dismissal but confirmed that he will be returning to Charlottesville next week for an academic-related appeals hearing. If he wins his appeal, he will then make a final plea to coach Dave Leitao for his reinstatement.

Mikalauskas, who said his family members have been keeping his spirits up, does not blame Leitao for his predicament.

“I’m at fault for everything that has happened to me,” said the 6-foot-8, 245-pounder. “I had a lot of chances to turn things around. Coach did what he had to do…I just didn’t ever think it would come to this.

“What hurts the most is that I feel like I let my teammates and coaches down, and all the people that have helped me in my three years — and all the great Virginia fans. Whether I get another chance or not, I feel like I’ve learned a lesson that you can’t take anything for granted.”

Mikalauskas said he hasn’t decided what his next move would be if he doesn’t get reinstated to the team.

“I would really like to my degree from Virginia,” said Mikalauskas, an anthropology major, “[though] I don’t know if that’s going to be possible now. But what’s meant to be is meant to be.”