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Lithuanian Point Guards

  • Thread starter Thread starter Straight forward2
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I went through KJ's highlights from scrimmages and I see already more burst in his feet, he's more physical and more explosive off his feet. That's the key for him to reach true star's level. If he has enough explosiveness in his feet and can slash with FORCE he can be a star globally. He has everything else and now witnessing he's becoming even more explosive on his feet makes me very optimistic. His passing surreal, his IQ top notch, amazing feeling for the game, but if he also has explosiveness - that's it, he has everything. From what I see KJ is ready to live up the hype. Sometimes the shot won't fall, but he can do so many things on the court.
 
Hugo Gonzalez with some real impact to Real Madrid early in the season. That's the guy who got schooled by Jakucionis all season long. It only shows where KJ could stand as a PRO at the moment. He was tremendous with limited minutes for Barca anyway as 16-17yo showing boldness and fearlessness instantly. He could seriously provide things for Barca this season. Specially knowing how bleak Nunez looks so far for them.
 
Ok, after all crazy KJ's hype train, there's a guy who thinks KJ is still highly underrated ATM :) I'm not sure about it, but dude's have KJ at 4 instead of ESPN's 15 :) Tomorrow first exhibition and we'll see what KJ has to offer, how he will run the game. BTW, it seems that in the game against Butler (closed scrimmages), KJ dished something like 7-8 assists, the offense was run through him, but his shot wasn't particularly dropping in that game. That's what I heard from podcasts and people who watched it.

The 2025 class has rightfully been lauded as one of the strongest groups in recent memory. Names like Cooper Flagg, Nolan Traore, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey will headline, but plenty of sleepers will fly unnoticed and be underrated

Let’s discuss five prospects I deem underrated at this point in the draft cycle, using the recent ESPN big board as a rough composite to reference. Kasparas Jakucionis: 6’5, PG, Illinois


ESPN rank: 15

My rank: 4

As one of the draft class’s most dynamic offensive players, Jakucionis projects as a possible lead initiator at the NBA level. He’s an excellent off-dribble shooter, canning 35% of his five off-dribble threes per game in international youth competition.

Jakucionis pairs that shooting with elite playmaking, especially out of the pick-and-roll. He tossed 17 assists in one ANGT game earlier this year, dicing defenses with his vision, skill and anticipation. He’s not the quickest guard, but Jakucionis has enough juice to work into the paint as a driver.

Prospects with high-level pull-up shotmaking and passing often develop into stars. Jakucionis could be another example of this with the ceiling to thrive as a lead initiator and an off-ball shotmaker. He’s highly underrated at this stage.

https://www.sportscasting.com/news/nba-draft-2025-five-underrated-prospects-college-basketball/
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I noticed how KJ's draft projections got higher recently, from range 14-28 (after U18), he kinda get to zone of 4-16 (after Illini camp in recent month). Here's another piece having him 9. Now it's really interesting how he will cope with NCAA physicality. That's basically the only question cause he has it all. But NCAA is much more physical and athletic that Euro Youth level. However, KJ spend some solid time training with Barca and good off season should help him not get overwhelmed with it. Some ups and dows, yes. Some bad shooting games, yes. Some super big games? Also yes, IMO. And yet I expect him to be a beast with the ball in terms of facilitation all season long. BTW, would love KJ running the offense with Wemby, my goodness. That would be nasty.


9. San Antonio Spurs select Kasparas Jakucionis


The 18-year-old Lithuanian is playing in the NCAA this season for Illinois and is already shooting up draft boards. Jakucionis has shown flashes on and off the ball and could be the perfect fit in the modern NBA. At 6’6, he can do a lot of different things, which is what NBA teams want.

Jakucionis averaged 19.4 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in the Under-18 European championships this year. That could be seen as a coming-out moment that makes him a potential top-five pick. He must make shots, play stout defense, and get buckets to make that leap, but the potential is there.

The Spurs would love to add a versatile option next to Stephon Castle as they look to create a championship contender around Victor Wembanyama. This could be the dynamic young core that helps San Antonio return to contention, and the Spurs are not done.
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https://airalamo.com/2025-nba-mock-draft-san-antonio-spurs-get-key-pieces-nets-capture-cooper-flagg
 
Got to watch Jakucionis with Illini jerseys finally. Well there's some good and bad news. He had up and down game, showed his good and bad sides. Good - the best decision maker and most matured player on his team despite being 18yo. He's the best player. Overall he was excited and lost his head a little but, but also the opponents were super physical and lengthy and the game looked too quick for him a bit and surely too physical. I think he is more tuned physically than he was with Lithuania however, he's more agile, more shifty. He moves the ball very well as expected, but at times loses concentration which is a bit of a problem ATM (against Butler though he had 9 assists and only 1 TO). On the negative side, it's gonna be hard for him to beat older NCAA guys in ISO situations, specially some first 2 months in NCAA till he will adjust. In first half he wasn't able to get inside a lot and dish teammates, but did much better in the second already. At least in this game Illini opponents showed an amazing on ball defense and they were locking everything what Illini tried to do. Illini tries to run and that fits KJ well, but in this game they couldn't run a lot because of great D by opponent. NCAA physicality is different. It's really a contact league and Jakucionis didn't draw some fouls that he would easily do in Europe, I think even EL. They do not whistle some fouls that we do it here. I was surprised how low IQ and raw looks KJ's teammates, but KJ turned the ball too much himself as well, it's a process. I expected to see athletic rollers around KJ for pick and roll, but instead he plays with Croatian slow white dude Ivisic most of the time, who is a ball stopper and doesn't really role. In Barca KJ had way, way more dominant bigs, rollers. So that's bad news for KJ cause he's the best in pick and roll. There are some other guys, athletic rollers (the rookie athletic freak) and I hope with time there will be more chemistry with him. Illini really choked at the start, everyone looked nervous, even KJ, he took too many threes, he really has to take better shots and go to the basket more, make simplier plays and that will come cause the IQ and feel for the game is there. His shot looks amazing, but accuracy is not elite yet, a bit inconsistent, but I think he has it all to be good shooter. It's great when they fall, he can have monster games, but sometimes he has to go to the basket more when threes don't fall.

To some up, Jakucionis will have to adjust to physicality and secure the ball over and take less wild threes. But the way he moves I now pretty sure he can be as good as some Kirk Hindrish in the NBA. Their physicality is rather similar and the game style too.

There's also good summary of his performance. He'll have much better games in the future. This one was very up and down and essentially meh, but you can still feel he can be a great player. He also will be playing tons, he's the main motor, the main guy and that's intriguing:

https://x.com/JamieShaw5/status/1850597121512120534

https://x.com/gsole14/status/1850601284706951670
 
Only one CBS expert predicts Illini to make NCAA final 4, but he has one solid reason. Look how he puts it:

The thesis here in picking Illinois to make the Final Four is rooted almost entirely in the belief I have in freshman international addition Kasparas Jakucionis, whose legend around Champaign has grown from whispers, to murmurs to outright screams. I don't know how to say this without overselling my case, but here goes: He's tearing up the preseason in a way that has fundamentally changed the outlook for the team this season. Excitement about him and what his presence can mean for the team is palpable.

There are other quality pieces around him, too. This is a staff that has consistently been excellent on offense and historically has found ways to push the right buttons on defense with adjustments as necessary. That will be key -- Underwood has already expressed angst about his defense before the season has even officially started -- but with a star in Jakucionis and an offense that will be tough to stop I believe in the Illini pushing to the Final Four as a Tier One representative out of the Big Ten. — Boone

Here's KJ's highs from recent game. I hate how little preseason games in NCAA and how late NCAA season starts (and how short it is...does it make any sense?). I hate it with Tubelis, Marciulionis....Now I hated it with KJ and others. Jakucionis looked nervous at first in his first game, only the second half reminded himself more. He could benefot from 4-5 official exhibition games, surely. Just to get used to NCAA physicality and leader's role. It's not gonna be all easy and consistent for him right from scratch, but he surely put on some huge performances in the Illini camp to attract so much talk. In NCAA he should have couple of crazy games when the ball all will go through and he will have some 35+ pts, 10+ assists kinda games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt48A-PYjCY&ab_channel=Nellb


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Jokubaitis delivered against real. 17pts, 7as.

In last 2 minutes nailed a jimmy and 2 solid dimes. Playing with the pace, does not rushing anything. He's already a vet as 24yo, really seen it all, he just learning how to be great now. Inevitably starting five player of top teams, he's getting there. Really he plays like a vet, nothing like any 24yo on the league which logical.

This season all 2000 gen studs prevailing. Rokas, Sirvuha, Giedraitis. They are keys of their teams. Not a prospects anymore, just among the leaders.
 
I hear Marciulionis "can turn on whenever he wants to turn on". He scored like 8-10 straight points in the scrimmages. I hear good words on Murauskas too.

Very curious situation that two Lithuanian PGs "has it's own teams". They are the best players of their teams and will be running their teams literally. KJ obviously is way better prospect, but Augis ATM is even underrated in Lithuanians and Euro eyes. Dude can ball and he can be offensive motor of Gaels big time.

Now it's a question what will be his numbers. Might be pretty similar. Marciulionis should increase his 12,4ppg, 5.5ap. We are probably talking about 15-16ppg, 6-7apg. Rather similar might be KJ's numbers, even though I believe in may vary between 12-18ppg, really depends how much threes he will take, how they will drop and so on. KJ will be better rebounder I believe, more than Marciulionis 3.3rpg last season.

KJ's numbers should be something like 14ppg, 6asp, 7rbs. That's my prediction. It's a good chance this will mean he lead the team in all these three categories. One side of mind hopes for big explosion during the season and he would average 18ppg, but it's a bit less likely scenario, dude's just 18yo after all.
 
I hate where Buzelis ended up, and will slow his development a little bit (I have no doubt Buzelis will be good long term though), but I surely love where Jakucionis ended up. Absolutely spot on attitude of coach Underwood:

Brad Underwood on Kasparas Jakucionis: He's as gifted a young guy in ball screens that we've had for sure. Maybe as there is out there. Is he going to make some mistakes? Absolutely. Are we going to live with them? Absolutely. Is he going to grow? Yes. #Illini

https://x.com/srrichey/status/1853141909331423293

Today KJ opens his season. Too bad the game at night in Lithuania.


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KJ listed among top 3 NBA prospects to watch in NCAA opening together with Cooper Flag and VJ Edgecombe by SI.


Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois


After amassing a sparkling record overseas, 6-foot-6 wing Jakucionis is set to make his collegiate debut for Illinois versus Eastern IL at 7 p.m. CT.

His role with the Fighting Illini might be up in the air at this point, but he’s capable of excelling on or off ball, and he should be must-watch TV regardless.

He can make shots, pass the ball, operate in the pick-and-roll, and could be a top-five selection if all of it meshes at the same time.
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https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfe...agg-edgecombe-jakucionis-duke-illinois-baylor

And CBS sports lands him at 7#. I don't see him lower than top 10 generally. I think his stock will go a bit down after first two months and catch it all back again in some January or February, even though I think he will be solid right from the scratch with some ups and downs:

I keep moving Jakucionis up a little higher each time I sweep my ranks. He's going to be very good right away at Illinois. His big frame and dynamism on offense from the guard spot fit into the modern game, and his craftiness around the basket as a finisher has potential to be special.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...-as-duke-freshman-prepares-for-college-debut/








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To be fair passing show of Jakucionis in the opening exceeded my expectations. He could easily go for 14+ assists if shots were going in. He created so much. I thought he would be looking for his shots more, but instead he unleashed total facilitation show. I already hear people calling him next Nash and shit :D I never followed such dynamic LTU prospect guard ever (I started to follow Rooney only since 1992). He is different each month and adds something so quickly. After this opening I starting seeing KJ even through other lenses. He can be scary good, like we might even be talking about NBA star. When the buzz started about Jakucionis as potential NBA player I still had some doubts and reserved my opinion. Many Europeans fail in the NBA and I thought there will be some obstacles and limitations, but now I can actually see that there's no such things. Dude's transcendent guard and has it all. He can take over games big time. Be it scoring or facilitation, or both. He can totally dominate. And the way his body translates, he seems a degree more smoother and flexible than 2-3 months ago, like his body becoming more and more transcendent, probably to the point when he will be ready to be among best players wherever he plays. Now I completely buy those recent mocks putting him at top 10. Dude was creating everything and in all various ways possible and even got fancy with it. Probably his last more serious question left - his long range shooting consistency. Now he's more like in between decent to deadly depending on the game, but can he be consistently good with it? He has everything really. If he's also a good shooter on consistent basis - it's over. He has a chance to develop into the best Lithuanian guard ever. Yes...we are in that territory with him as project. He can exceed Sarunas Marciulionis and I was not going for it till this very moment, but KJ reached that soil. He's into this conversation and has legitimate change to end up as better than Rooney which is sureal. Meaning we are talking about the guy who can give 22-25ppg, 10apg, 7rpg, ~27eff kinda production in his prime in FIBA. Rooney's best line with the NT was 23,4ppg, 8,3apg, 5rpg, 25,8eff. Will be extremely fun to follow whenever KJ reaches and exceeds that kind of level. He got the whole package for a shot.

https://x.com/HoopIntelllect/status/1853911595534917760
 
KJ takes only 6 shots to average 11,5ppg. Only 6 shots.I will want to see his scoring numbers when he will take 25 shots which he will against stronger opponents one day. Huge game 13as, 12pts, 8rbs. So far 78.8% true shooting​.

Jakucionis is sensationally mature and dynamic for his age. His game reading and decision making timing is amazing. He's better than any other 18yo guard, IMO. Better than Macijauskas, who could score, but couldn't do everything like KJ does, and wasn't close in terms of IQ and maturity of performance. Macas was a scoring menace, KJ is all around presence menace. I don;t know how Rooney looked as 18yo, but I know that even 23-24yo Rooney wasn't playing as high IQ BB as Jakucionis runs now. He was just amazingly explosive and unstoppable on his feed, but didn't have KJ's basketball instincts, specially facilitation wise.

KJ is top 5 pick and may be the best Euro guard after Doncic coming. Traore doesn't have such smooth and silky profile of KJ. My prediction is now that KJ will top him in the draft. As well as Safar, who is very nice, but even he is not so smooth and doesn't have as advanced shooting three (even though we have to wait, sometimes flat three is as effective as top notch form as KJ's). These three are the best PGs coming after Doncic from Europe, IMO. And probably Topic who we shouldn't forget.

Jakucionis is building himself to some crazy things if his development will just role like that. We might be talking about SECOND DRAFT PICK overall if he will unleash his scoring profile as well (which he has and can drop 40 if needed) with his most amazing passing in NCAA right now. In my opinion most effortless passing and shooting PG in the game after Doncic. Topic doesn't have nearly close smoothness when it comes to shooting.

Kasparas Jakucionis tied the freshman single-game record for assists (set in 1999 by Frank Williams) and recorded the first points-assists double-double by an Illinois freshman since Demetri McCamey in 2008.​

https://x.com/DParkOK/status/1855105016018735260

Here's coach said it all spot on:

https://x.com/glenn_kinley/status/1855120614895288608
 
Off day for Jakucionis. Seemed like sleepless night or similar, looked out of focus, trying to rush things too much. His wild side. When he as 16yo with Barca U18 he was unplayable cause he tried to do everything at impossible pace, just extremely wild. In 2 years he made an amazing strides, but there still be nights when he will look out of his head and will turn the ball over. Still tendency to make few careless passes when you just have to sharpen up those, be more precise and focused. And some other TOs is like he's think about 10 things at the some time, wildly multitasking and forgetting that you actually have to dribble the ball. Sometimes his head works at different speed than his body and that should get together with time on consistent basis. I love coach Brad BTW. He saw KJ is not on his own that night and he made adjustment. They feed KJ inside and he found his ways to FT line easily. One thing for sure - KJ found a great coach for him in NCAA campaign. That's very important. On bad night KJ still got +30 minutes.

Gotta love the support from the coach and teammates, he's on perfect team:

https://x.com/glenn_kinley/status/1856924665639272917

Still some magic moments from his amazing facilitation: https://x.com/B1GMBBall/status/1856920648045486555
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvg9BRSjK7k&ab_channel=SublimeBasketball
 
Marciulionis is 26as and 3tos in 3 games. That's that I call as/to ratio. Gus is money at this level and talked too little. He could work his way into second round draft pick.

“Marciulionis is a special player,” Rothstein said. “Nobody talks about him and he’s the reigning WCC Player of the Year. He has a mid-70s NBA-type feel to his game.”
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