Riga, August 2026 – The Latvian Basketball Association (LBS) has publicly condemned a wave of racist and discriminatory comments directed at players on the country’s national teams, particularly those of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The statement comes as 16-year-old dual Latvian-American forward Benjamin “Benji” Jānis Berrouet continues to shine for Latvia’s U16 side at the ongoing FIBA U16 EuroBasket.
On August 8, LBS Secretary General Kaspars Cipruss addressed the issue in a social media post that was widely shared. He noted that in recent days the association had encountered multiple instances of players being judged or insulted online based on their skin color or origin.
“Latvian basketball is changing. And that is good,” Cipruss wrote. “Our national teams feature young players with diverse family, cultural, and origin experiences. They and their parents were born in Latvia, grew up in Latvia, attended our schools, trained in our clubs, and- most importantly- they choose to represent Latvia.
“When they put on the Latvian national team jersey, they are ours. Our attitude toward them must be exactly the same. The world is changing, and society is becoming more diverse. That is not something to fear. On the contrary- it is an opportunity to become stronger, more open, and better.
“Racism and discrimination is not an opinion. It is not a form of humor. And it is not part of Latvian basketball’s values.”
Cipruss confirmed that the LBS has contacted FIBA to help remove such comments and increase monitoring of online spaces. The association is also prepared to involve Latvian law enforcement authorities if necessary.
One of the players most closely linked to the recent online backlash is Berrouet, a 6-foot-8 (203 cm) forward born on June 10, 2010, in the United States. The son of former Latvian professional basketball player Lāsma Jēkabsone and American Richard Berrouet, he holds dual Latvian-American nationality and has elected to represent Latvia at the international level despite growing up and training in Texas.
Berrouet is currently one of the standout performers at the 2026 FIBA U16 EuroBasket. In the early stages of the tournament he has produced eye-catching numbers, including a historic 33-point, 22-rebound performance that made him only the third player ever to record 30+ points and 20+ rebounds in a single U16 EuroBasket game. His early averages have hovered around 25 points and 13-plus rebounds per game.
In the 2025 U16 EuroBasket he already showed strong form, averaging 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while helping Latvia achieve one of its better recent results at the age group.
A highly regarded prospect in the U.S. high school ranks (previously at McKinney Boyd and now linked with Dynamic Prep/FaZe OTE), Berrouet has drawn interest and offers from major college programs. He is projected as a potential high pick in the 2028 NBA Draft.
Observers have noted that some of the online criticism directed at the youth national team appears to have focused on Berrouet’s mixed heritage and darker skin tone relative to many of his teammates. Cipruss’s statement is widely seen as a direct response to such comments, emphasizing that anyone willing to wear the Latvian jersey and compete for the country deserves full support.
The episode highlights both the increasing diversity within Latvian basketball and the association’s clear stance against racism. As Berrouet continues to dominate at the U16 level and develop into one of Europe’s most promising young forwards, the LBS message remains straightforward: the national team is defined by contribution and commitment, not by background or appearance.