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Lithuanian Point Guards

No. 2: Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)


Hailing from Lithuania, Kasparas Jakucionis looks to bring an influx of talent to the Illinois program. Jakucionis brings a level of experience to Illinois, as he is one of the youngest players to ever suit up for FC Barcelona.

Jakucionis is a polished score first guard. He uses his size, athleticism and handle in order to get to his spots and hit tough jumpers over defenders. When the jumper is taken away, Jakucionis uses his handle and athleticism, while utilizing crafty finishes to score over bigger defenders.

Jakucionis will also be able to use his high-level passing in order to be an offensive engine for Illinois. The young Lithuanian will likely have ample opportunity to live up to the lofty expectations of a top 10 NBA draft pick. Illinois only returns one guard from last year's squad in Dra GIbbs-Lawhorn, and will likely turn to Jakucionis as the lead guard.

https://bustingbrackets.com/posts/b...ct-freshmen-for-2024-25-season-01j4f6df4fk7/5
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40:35 a word on Marciulionis, very cool BB dudes by no ceiling, one of my favs now. All true, except that they overlooked a bit the improvement of Marciulionis shooting confidence and I don't see a lack of strength at D, surely don't see this :) He's tough.

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1dRKZdkPLkMJB

I know one thing for sure. Marciulionis is a fundamentally sound pass first PG and he can create for others and finish SOME by himself. With him we will be running much more fundemantally sound offense than with Lekavicius and won't be hurt at D end as well for sure. But what I'm looking forward this season, is how much he can be confident with his shooting further. From what I see I think Jokubaitis and Marciulionis will be fighting for a back up PG spot since I see KJ being from another tier obviously, and it's interesting cause I think Marciulionis can create more and he can guard much better, while Jokubaitis can provide scoring bursts. I kinda see the scenario when KJ and Jokubaitis are used a lot as 2 guards playing together (both can play off the ball and on ball rather comfortably, actually Jakucionis is elite player in both situations) while Maciulionis occupying only back-ups PG spot (cause he can't play of ball). So in a way KJ and Jokubaitis would play as combos (playing both 1 and 2 or something in between), while Rooney taking that true back up PG role. So I would see guards rotations in some 2028 or 2029 as such:

Jokubaitis, D. Giedraitis

Jakucionis, Indrusaitis

Marciulionis, Jakucionis/Rubstavicius/Sirvydis

Jakucionis, Jokubaitis

Jokubaitis, Marciulionis

But I don't see:

Marciulionis, D. Giedraitis (too little scoring)

Jokubaitis, Rubstavicius and Jokubaitis, Sirvydis (too trashy defence)

Jokubaitis should be mixed with either KJ, Marciulionis, D. Giedraitis, meaning we are not butt naked defensively and still have enough of offense.

(I'm not mentioning some other guys who will be into the mix as Brazdeikis, Lelevicius or even playing Buzelis at 2, just that I think Buzelis should play in other positions essentially and Brazdeikis, Lelevicius are a bit lower in my book compared to others, even though I still don't have a final take on Lelevicius, we'll have to wait and see).
 
ESPN and Givoni still has Kaspa as lottery pick generally, drops him at 15# which I think is more or less correct, I have him in 12-26 range, but now we hear Illini head coach saying he's been the best piece in the team. Stakes are high, NCAA has sneaky inner system which not always allow good Euro guys to shine, there's more physicality than Euros think, there's a bit different BB, but I still hope Kaspa doing from very solid to great right from the scratch. Expectations are crazy and often it leads to disappointment, but feel Kaspa can cope with it.

Don't get why Givoni so high on Kirvas :D Ok, dudes' good, but not special for sure :) He can't leap, he's not explosive, not agile. I mean he can find a nishe in NBA I guess, but come on 17th pick? I don't believe it. I personally don't even see him being huge in the NT. I have him as 15mpg kinda dude in his prime if you ask me. He's pretty slow roller, not explosive, can't play face to the basket. What? We will be watching how he will post up, when we will have KJ, Buzelis, Indusaitis, Murauskas? ISO freaks who can beat the shit out of you? IDK, I think Givoni overrates him, not that I don't like him. Hope he can cement our D a bit.

Interesting that he landed Marciulionis at 73#

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players
 
Straight forward said:
Don't get why Givoni so high on Kirvas :D Ok, dudes' good, but not special for sure :) He can't leap, he's not explosive, not agile. I mean he can find a nishe in NBA I guess, but come on 17th pick? I don't believe it. I personally don't even see him being huge in the NT. I have him as 15mpg kinda dude in his prime if you ask me. He's pretty slow roller, not explosive, can't play face to the basket. What? We will be watching how he will post up, when we will have KJ, Buzelis, Indusaitis, Murauskas? ISO freaks who can beat the shit out of you? IDK, I think Givoni overrates him, not that I don't like him. Hope he can cement our D a bit.
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thats kind of the point, he has potential to be an incredible defensive center, especially with fiba rules, he even shows some flashes of alright perimeter defense but im not a huge believer in that
 
KJ saying it's all good with transition. He feels comfy in NCAA it seems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZ0NYVuSDQ&ab_channel=FightingIlliniatOrangeandBlueNews(Rivals.com)

Appears he had some knee issues, busy summer. Head coach Underwood has only positive things to say so far, hope that reflects his role and shots per game.

Brad Underwood: The one thing we had to do with Kasparas Jakucionis was manage his usage. Played a lot of basketball this summer. He's had some tendinitis in his knees. Held him out the first 2 weeks to let his body heal. Mentally, he's handled it. He loves to watch film​

Brad Underwood on Kasparas Jakucionis: When you talk with him, he's played no other sport in his life. His upbringing in the game is well beyond his years. His coaching to this point has been exceptional.​

HC Underwood on Kasparas Jakucionis: Very very high IQ, sees things ahead. He’s immersed in film. His happy place is truly on the court, practicing and working. You put all of those things together and you’ve got a guy who’s a really good player.​
 
Here's some highs from the game against Butler. KJ with strong drive and long pass, he out there running at the point. He seems to be the main piece of all offense because of various reasons:

Kasparas Jakucionis is proving to be a true floor general, orchestrating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Jakucionis is such a dynamic creator that even the threat of his presence can generate offense. When defenses shade over to him, he can swing the ball to the weak side, where a teammate can attack a recovering defender off the dribble. This concept was something the Chicago Bulls used effectively with Ayo Dosunmu last season. The Bulls would start an action, and if the defense overloaded the strong side, Dosunmu would be waiting to attack the weak side.

If Jakucionis isn’t such a threat, the defense never overloads, and Tre White’s defender would have been in a better position, potentially preventing this play from developing.

https://hoopinformatics.substack.com/p/glimpses-from-the-closed-scrimmage
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trinchieri mentioned he wants to develop giedraitis as a point guard, its a very interesting idea. giedraitis is taking a huge step forward every sinlge year:

2022/23: 9mpg, 1.6ppg, 0.6apg, 0.6stl, 36% fg

2023/24: 16.6mpg, 4.8ppg, 1apg, 1.1stl, 39% fg

2024/25: 28mpg, 10.3ppg, 0.7apg, 1.3stl, 63% fg (only 3 games)

and overall since trinchieri put him into his rotation:

13 games, 24.5mpg, 7.1ppg, 1.15apg, 1.6stl


if he continues this trajectory could end up being the current best point guard in lithuania in no time, passing jokubatis, who has stagnated for the past 4 years, age is also not a factor because they are both from the 2000 generation. happy for giedraitis but overall this is a very sad situation for lithuanian basketball. im still a little sceptical about giedraitis as a point guard because of his lack of playmaking skills and overall creativity thats required for a good point guard, giedraitis is a very textbook, stay in his own lane type of player but he has clearly improved his ball handling skills and that low assist number is mostly because zalgiris has not been very good offensively so far so it should get higher as they play more games.
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zalias said:
trinchieri mentioned he wants to develop giedraitis as a point guard, its a very interesting idea. giedraitis is taking a huge step forward every sinlge year:

2022/23: 9mpg, 1.6ppg, 0.6apg, 0.6stl, 36% fg

2023/24: 16.6mpg, 4.8ppg, 1apg, 1.1stl, 39% fg

2024/25: 28mpg, 10.3ppg, 0.7apg, 1.3stl, 63% fg (only 3 games)

and overall since trinchieri put him into his rotation:

13 games, 24.5mpg, 7.1ppg, 1.15apg, 1.6stl


if he continues this trajectory could end up being the current best point guard in lithuania in no time, passing jokubatis, who has stagnated for the past 4 years, age is also not a factor because they are both from the 2000 generation. happy for giedraitis but overall this is a very sad situation for lithuanian basketball. im still a little sceptical about giedraitis as a point guard because of his lack of playmaking skills and overall creativity thats required for a good point guard, giedraitis is a very textbook, stay in his own lane type of player but he has clearly improved his ball handling skills and that low assist number is mostly because zalgiris has not been very good offensively so far so it should get higher as they play more games.
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I don't get it what this is all about.

Why Giedraitis has to become PG instead of being himself - meaning combo who bites the shit of you defensively and doesn't make shit offensively (but being passive piece essentially)?

I cringed when Trinch said he will make LTU BB a favor of making Giedraitis a PG. Lithuania has the deepest PG section in Europe for upcoming 15 years - KJ, Marciulionis, Jokubaitis. Literally no-one has deeper PG section. There's zero chance for Giedraitis to become best PG. All three mentioned guys already are WAY better point guards and it's not even close. So I don't get what are you talking about.

If Trinch will make Giedraitis more confident and versatile combo, it's surely a benefit, but D. Giedraitis will never be a pure point guard.
 
jokubaitis cant even stay on the court because of his horrific defense, but sure he's much better. marciuloinis will never be a high level player, calathes if calathes was a much worse playmaker is his best comparison
 
zalias said:
jokubaitis cant even stay on the court because of his horrific defense, but sure he's much better. marciuloinis will never be a high level player
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KJ's game reading and creativity is at another level, world class level. Marciulionis is more dominant facilitator than Jokubaitis and more of pass first PG than Jokubaitis. But Jokubaitis is still elite and can dish the ball effectively, Giedraitis is not even relatively close. That's it. IDK how you came up with idea that he can become best or that LTU has issues with PGs. We never were in better situation and never been relatively close to current situation.
 
i was talking currently not in 2 or 3 years. i agree that point guard is probably not the most ideal position for giedraitis and his playstyle but if he ends up being a full time point guard currently there is no competion for him. if he can keep playing elite defense and score about 10 points per game in euroleague is better than any other point guard can offer CURRENTLY. jokubaitis went to maccabi for a bigger role and is now playing 14mpg per game
 
zalias said:
i was talking currently not in 2 or 3 years
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Jokubaitis and Marciulionis are DEFINITITELY better now, while Jakucionis maybe would turn the ball over more, but he at the same time would be 5 times more dominant creator than current Giedraitis :D The only question is whenever Trinchieri would be ready to tolerate KJ's wildness. If he would unleash Jakucionis today in EL he would be way more dominant offensively than Giedraitis (in a good night he can nail 5-7 step back threes while opponents not having any chance to reach it), but also would make more turnovers and wouldn't play nearly close good D.

You overrate Giedraitis passing ability or offensive aggressiveness a lot. Giedraitis with time will be pretty nice scorer, but essentially he's not DOMINANT FACILITATOR and will never be. He doesn't have that in him.
 
and i think you overrate marciulionis and jokubaitis a lot. one has 0 touch for the ball and the other has defense of a 12 year old in a wheelchair. ive been hearing about "jokubaitis breakthrough season is coming anytime now" for about 4 years now and whats funny is his role has only kept shrinking since then. the only thing that has changed about jokubaitis since zalgiris schiller days is 1 broken tv in puerto rico
 
zalias said:
and i think you overrate marciulionis and jokubaitis a lot. one has 0 touch for the ball and the other has defense of a 12 year old in a wheelchair. ive been hearing about "jokubaitis breakthrough season is coming anytime now" for about 4 years now and whats funny is his role has only kept shrinking since then. the only thing that has changed about jokubaitis since zalgiris schiller days is 1 broken tv in puerto rico
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Not even close, dude. You can trust my BB eye, and basketball intuition. Marciulionis passing is legit, he rarely turns the ball over. He will be one of the most fun ball movers in EL. Jokubaitis is good, just his attitude a bit fucked up, but don't have any illusions, he'll have very wealthy EL career, hell even now his career is longer than many guys. He just needs to get his shit together and move to another level and he will essentially, it's just a transition.

Jokubaitis was our best players against PR. And best player in WC 2023. He was running the team.
 
Probably the final nail to the Kaspa hype's coffin before the season starts. ESPN has KJ as No.1 international fresh man in NCAA. Higher than Egor Demin who long time was treated as higher upside prospect, but Kaspa exploded all that as I expected. Well, now we will just have to wait and see how KJ will do. Most hyped and top rated Lithuanian guard prospect ever. Intriguing situation, hope he's not caring much about and don't read all these projections. The worst thing would be if he would lose his mind and cool because of that.

Interesting that ESPN landed Lelevicius at 10. Probably spot on. Again, it's an amazing amount of LTU talent in NCAA this season. A lot of history is rewritten at the moment.

1. Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois Fighting Illini

Scouting report: Jakucionis, 18, has an outstanding combination of size, shooting, pick-and-roll playmaking, toughness and feel for the game as a 6-foot-6 point guard. He was a dominant player at the club level for Barcelona's junior program and the Lithuanian national team, putting up gaudy numbers everywhere he's played and logging minutes in the Euroleague and ACB -- a rarity at his age. His aggressiveness, maturity and physicality have him ranked as the No. 15 prospect in ESPN's 2025 draft projections. -- Jonathan Givony

How he fits: Jakucionis should start and have a sizable offensive role immediately for coach Brad Underwood and the Illini. A big part of Illinois' offense last season was getting Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask into advantageous matchups and then attacking defenses. Expect Jakucionis to step into one of those roles this season. He can be the team's primary playmaker or he could play off the ball with Kylan Boswell running the offense. Either way, he'll have the ball in his hands a ton from Day 1. -- Jeff Borzello

10. Liutauras Lelevicius, SG, Oregon State Beavers

Scouting report: The 21-year-old started games in the EuroCup and Lithuanian first division last season but played a far bigger role for the national team as a point guard at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship -- despite standing 6-8. He has an excellent feel for the game, can make 3s in a variety of ways and boasts a wealth of experience that should help him hit the ground running from Day 1. -- Givony

How he fits: Oregon State is 27-68 over the past three seasons and lost its two best players during the summer. In other words, there are plenty of minutes to go around. Lelevicious is another player yet to be cleared by the NCAA, but he could be the perfect fit for coach Wayne Tinkle's team. There's solid depth down low and SIUE transfer Damarco Minor can score on the perimeter, but Lelevicius should push for minutes on the wing immediately. His playmaking will be an asset in the WCC. -- Borzell

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...aa-basketball-international-newcomers-2024-25​
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