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Well, it's not elite high school when it comes to basketball, but one of top mid-major programs in the country, since 2005 they appeared in March Madness 5 times. So it's not in the middle of no-where as well. Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are best known ballers to represent Saint Marys in the NBA, also our well known Jock Landale played there. So in twitter people make jokes that Marciulionis should have at least some Australian blood if he goes there We'll see how it goes, most importantly that he would get a huge role from the day one pretty much.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
ESPN Givony's take on Marciulionis' departure. Marciulionis himself evaluates his decision here as well.
The 19-year old point guard is considered arguably the top European recruit committing to the college route in the class of 2021, possessing significant experience at the international level both against professionals and with his national team.
Augustas Marciulionis, a top international basketball prospect and son of Naismith and FIBA hall of famer Sarunas Marciulionis, has committed to Saint Mary's.
And here's an indication on his possible role. He will likely see a lot of time playing with another quality PG. That might be a good situation for NT as well, as I see Marciulionis and Jokubaitis filling the dynamic guard duel in the long term:
Tommy Kuhse averaged 12.8 points and five assists per game as the Gaels’ starting point guard last season. He will return next season and it’s conceivable Bennett would play Kuhse and Marciulionis together. Bennett often has used lineups with two point guards.
I'm not the one who would reduce Marciulionis upside after U19WC (not as of yet at least), I still think we have 3 elite PG prospects, but all of them have one thing in common - all three are inconsistent shooters from three. They are all prospects and they may be in very different place shooting wise after 4-5 years, but here's what I like the most about Dominykas Stenionis. He really can shoot and does that with extreme confidence, knocking down some huge step backs and has extreme range. We need shooting at 1. Velicka actually also have great range, but he's too inconsistent. It seems that numbers indicate that Stenionis is consistent at shooting. His 2 NKL seasons suggests 41,4% and 45,2% from three. In U19 he took tons of crazy three, but managed to do that with decent 36.8%.
Velicka will go to Nuggets camp before drafts. He won't be draftet, but that he gets some attention from Pocius and co. means that people still see some NBA potential in him, well he has the body for it.
Velicka will go to Nuggets camp before drafts. He won't be draftet, but that he gets some attention from Pocius and co. means that people still see some NBA potential in him, well he has the body for it.
It would be huge blow for our B NT if Velicka would sign some crappy 2 ways contract with NBA team and would be balling in G league, but hopefully it's not happening. Also, I hope he will choose Eurocup or Champions League club. We need Kariniauskas and Velicka to lead our B NT to WC. There won't be Kalnietis and Jokubaitis.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Lithuanian guard Arnas Velička has no allusions to grand draft expectations, he just wants a shot at playing in the NBA.
"We're going to see [where I end up], but I'm looking for a two-way contract," Velička said in his press conference Tuesday.
There hasn't been a lot of buzz around Velička during the predraft workout sessions around the NBA, but he could be a player who teams will covet for two-way contracts and Summer League. The Nuggets have an extensive track record of finding unheralded prospects and turning them into useful rotation players. Last season, Markus Howard followed a similar path and became an impact player for Denver in the playoffs. The team is well-known for spotting international talent and has a well-known former Lithuanian basketball star in Martynas Pocius in the front office.
Velička, who last starred for Löwen Braunschweig, hopes he can showcase his game in the best basketball league in the world.
"I like to run the team, get everyone touches and make everyone happy," he said.
Sounds like a potentially good fit for Mile High Basketball.
A bit of the off topic, but looking at young players from all Europe and how much PG position is important, I think 3 countries stand out in terms of pure PG prospect power. It's between France, Lithuania and Spain and it probably goes hierarchy wise as well likely:
With that being said, Luka Doncic is the king and should be by far the best PG in the decade (probably all time), but aside this prodigy (who eventually will have difficulties playing both contending NBA and summer FIBA tournaments at the same time likely) France, Lithuania and Spain has best pure point guard prospects in Europe, IMO.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
A bit of the off topic, but looking at young players from all Europe and how much PG position is important, I think 3 countries stand out in terms of pure PG prospect power. It's between France, Lithuania and Spain and it probably goes hierarchy wise as well likely:
With that being said, Luka Doncic is the king and should be by far the best PG in the decade (probably all time), but aside this prodigy (who eventually will have difficulties playing both contending NBA and summer FIBA tournaments at the same time likely) France, Lithuania and Spain has best pure point guard prospects in Europe, IMO.
With exception of Jokubaitis, the other two still need to prove themselves. Velicka could turn everything around in a year or two, but Im not so high on Augustas anymore, he will need at least 3-4 years to blossom or to disappoint.
With exception of Jokubaitis, the other two still need to prove themselves. Velicka could turn everything around in a year or two, but Im not so high on Augustas anymore, he will need at least 3-4 years to blossom or to disappoint.
It depends what criteria we use. If to prove themselves is to be quality rotations player in EL, then I can't argue with you. But I like where both are ATM. Velicka proved himself as 20/21yo in French and Bundesliga and did it with quite a force. Marciulionis had a successful season, IMO, with Rytas as 18yo. In most cases he looked very convincing. Off course, his timid performance in U19 kinda raised the questions and disappointed (I also expected more), but with vigilant look you could see that he was already washed out physically and mentally at the end of the season. Started to miss wide open threes, had a bad streak in PO. It's hard to go against tougher and matured guys all season long and he had to deal with very big attention and pressure at the same time. His name is a weight that he will have to carry all career long. Mind that Marciulionis had by far the best NKL career compared to all 3. In a long run it may not mean much if he will fail to grow as a player, but I like where all 3 are ATM. I'm pretty sure they will play at really high level. While a guy like Stenionis is still complete enigma with his size and barely relevant NKL season thus far. He will have to make miracles to be high level PRO. It rarely happen with white dudes, but I love what he showed this summer.
Time will tell, but Velicka is ready for Eurocup team, IMO, and I wouldn't be surprised if he will snatch 2 ways contract with Denver while Marciulionis will calmly work in NCAA which is best for him now, hopefully sharpening his scoring habits in American style.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Another highly ranked PG prospect 15yo Kasparas Jakucionis. Eurohopes rank him at 5th among 2006 generation prospects. I think he stepped a bit on NKL court last season and dominates his age class - MKL u15 23.8pts, 14.5rbs, 9.5as, 38eff. Seems like youngster will start his career in Spain, linked with BC Barselona. Maybe that's the homework of Jasikevicius already.
From highlights I see great feeling for passing. He's raw, but some of his quick and unexpected decisions are jaw opening. Other than that, hard to judge yet, too soon.
Point guard with solid positional size, strong frame and above average athleticism, even though he doesn’t have major physical and athletic upside. Jakucionis stands out for his strong basketball IQ: understands the game, plays with poise and takes almost always the right decision with the ball. He is an excellent passer, he's able to find teammates for scoring opportunities in a multiple ways: from throwing an outlet pass right on target after a defensive rebound, to feeding cuts and corner shooters with elite passes off the dribble while driving. As a scorer, he is mainly effective driving aggressively to the basket, not shying away of contacts and using either hands to finish with lay ups. Despite not having the quickest jumpshot, he is a good shooter with consistent mechanics and is able to hit standstill shots from further than the 3-point line. Jakucionis plays defense with strong motor, and he can guard multiple positions given his strength and athleticism. His feel for the game and anticipation are also present at the time to cut passing lanes. Pretty good rebounder on the defensive end.
Highlights from MKL U15 game of Kasparas Jakucionis (2006, Lithuania)Jakucionis finished the game with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 17 assists and 3 steals in 25 ...
PS: It's another illustration of Vilnius BB crisis. Yet another big prospect born in Vilnius is leaving and it's an open question whenever Rytas even tried to grab him. Horrible.
Still horrible, IMO. If you have 5 big prospects and you don't lock a single one long term, there's something substantially wrong with that organization.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Still horrible, IMO. If you have 5 big prospects and you don't lock a single one long term, there's something substantially wrong with that organization.
I wonder how many other clubs that are not part of cream of EL can keep their big prospects
I wonder how many other clubs that are not part of cream of EL can keep their big prospects
On other hand, Blazevic openly says (latest podcast), that the team, the coach, the city was all spot on, it's just was the issue with clubs managament...Sirvydis wanted to leave for the same reason.
I guess Jakucionis (I like how his second name is a hybrid of Jasikevicius and Marciulionis in a way ) has little mortification towards Rytas management and maybe some Saras call does a lot today, but another chance for Rytas management to shine was wasted, that's the fact. And how many upcoming Vilnius talents will commit now when they listen to Blazevic podcasts and Sirvydis' interviews? They screwed and it will have some consequences. Eagerly waiting what happens with new club in Vilnius in 2022/2023. The fact is that either Barselona or Saras just snatched a gem in front Viilnius basketball people noses.
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
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