Lithuanian Point Guards

[Straight forward]

Two years ago nearly every respectable scout was talking about the possibility of his draft in some years and now he is delivering bad stats in the NCAA. 35% fgp with 29% from three is really weak even if its just 3 games.

Looking only at stats won't help you. The story is that the team is full of seniors, many guards and he's the only freshman actually getting minutes, 18mpg. Played 11 games overall and in last 2 he already played well. Previously his role offensively was really limited and you can't ask big numbers because of that. Yes, shooting remains a problem, but at least he really improved FTs %. Overall, he's doing fine. Not yet perfect decision maker, struggles with shooting, but pretty damn impressive floor general already, gets to the cup with explosive drives, plays bully D ect. He'll be fine. No matter if he'll ever play in NBA, he will be very good point guard, IMO.

We will be looking at his stats more next season when he will be main PG. Now he's playing with 24yo students and nevertheless might prevail as superior at the end of the season.

[Toruko]

Looking only at stats won't help you. The story is that the team is full of seniors, many guards and he's the only freshman actually getting minutes, 18mpg. Played 11 games overall and in last 2 he already played well. Previously his role offensively was really limited and you can't ask big numbers because of that. Yes, shooting remains a problem, but at least he really improved FTs %. Overall, he's doing fine. Not yet perfect decision maker, struggles with shooting, but pretty damn impressive floor general already, gets to the cup with explosive drives, plays bully D ect. He'll be fine. No matter if he'll ever play in NBA, he will be very good point guard, IMO.

We will be looking at his stats more next season when he will be main PG. Now he's playing with 24yo students and nevertheless might prevail as superior at the end of the season.

Its not the five points average what is annoying. He is a capable passer, thats for sure but he seems to struggle at this age ( born March 2002 if I am not mistaken) after having played 2 seasons or at least one season with solid minutes in a pro team. He must deliver more if he wants to live up to the expectations.

[Straight forward]

Its not the five points average what is annoying. He is a capable passer, thats for sure but he seems to struggle at this age ( born March 2002 if I am not mistaken) after having played 2 seasons or at least one season with solid minutes in a pro team. He must deliver more if he wants to live up to the expectations.

Struggling is too big word, IMO. He came to very well known Randy Bennett's system (academical, slow paced, ball movement based) where all players stayed. He obviously needs to time to get along the system, NCAA environment ect. In last 2 games he already was much more aggressive and assertive offensively. He moves the ball impressively, assists not always reflect that. Numbers shouldn't deceive anyone, very soon he'll be one of the best D1 point guards.

[Straight forward]

Augustas Marciulionis has been named the Bay Alarm Student Athlete of the Week:

https://smcgaels.com/news/2021/12/13/mens-basketball-career-best-helps-marciulionis-earn-bay-alarm-student-athlete-of-the-week.aspx

[Straight forward]

Grauslys continues to attract attention.

Scouting report:

Grauslys is a point guard who has tremendous command of his team in the half court. He handles the ball well against pressure and can use undisciplined defense to his advantage by exposing driving lanes with his drives and sleeping defenders with zipline passes to open teammates. He’s a three-point threat off the catch with a quick release that must be contested or else he’ll make you pay. Defensively he’ll get after his match up with sound pressure without fouling. Grauslys doesn’t hesitate to dive on the floor for 50/50’s and is extremely vocal as a leader, which clearly spreads through his teammates. In my opinion, Grauslys could help a high academic Division III program right away or perhaps a program in the Ivy or Patriot League who really need a floor general.

https://www.prephoops.com/2021/12/2022-vakaris-grauslys-is-a-hidden-gem/

[Straight forward]

Marciulionis again struggled shooting, but dished season best 6as. I like those nifty passes in tight space. This is his probably most elite skill - passing. That's from previous game:

https://twitter.com/CBB_Europe/status/1470003730846482438

[Straight forward]

Dude can play D. Active hands. 4 steals last night:

https://twitter.com/saintmaryshoops/status/1472046462850650113

[Straight forward]

Marciulionis will need to build on his upper body and maybe reduce (sharpen up) his hips a little bit After off season he looks a bit strange. Super beefy legs and overall much bigger, but now he sometimes looks like slightly chubby in lower body, Rooney will have to suggest him how to be absolutely ripped

[Toruko]

Marciulionis will need to build on his upper body and maybe reduce (sharpen up) his hips a little bit After off season he looks a bit strange. Super beefy legs and overall much bigger, but now he sometimes looks like slightly chubby in lower body, Rooney will have to suggest him how to be absolutely ripped

How are his stats?

edit: I looked up myself.

[Straight forward]

How are his stats?

edit: I looked up myself.

At the start of the season he was not doing much offensively. Now his role got bigger. In last 4 games he had 22,5min, 8,2pts, 3as, 2stl. I believe after another month he should improve those numbers. But he's not the main PG in the team. Next season will show more, he should start and get plenty of initiative. Just as Kerr Kriisa does for a Wildcats as a starting point guard this season. At the moment Marciulionis is really good defensively, but offense is a work in progress.

[Straight forward]

2003 generation Lukas Gudavicius committed to Bethune-Cookman. 6'9 dude seems to be calling himself a point guard. I guess now everyone wants to be Lebron, KD, Doncic.

https://twitter.com/Eurohopes/status/1477698746674827271

https://www.thehoophustle.com/news_article/show/1185064

PS: When he was 15yo Unicaja was offering 4 years deal that he declined. Had some bigger offers from NCAA, but obviously he had his reasons. Went through many highlights and I think being pure PG is dream pipe, but can be very versatile forward with nice stroke and very nice passing touch. Maybe even playing some 2 is not entirely out of question as well. He seems to be a good shot blocker too.

[Katastroika]

This team never gave an NBA player since 1967. I really don't understand this commitment. I understand the NBA dream but at this very moment are in all NCAA divisions more than 100 Serbian players from whom 90 won't even be close to professional basketball after this adventure. And reading this Gudavicius story I am more close thinking that he wants IT diploma from university in US than basketball future. On one hand I understand players without high upside because they can start good in life without being imbeciles with 23 with no perspective and no university diploma but promising players with that path ruin there perspective.

[Straight forward]

This team never gave an NBA player since 1967. I really don't understand this commitment. I understand the NBA dream but at this very moment are in all NCAA divisions more than 100 Serbian players from whom 90 won't even be close to professional basketball after this adventure. And reading this Gudavicius story I am more close thinking that he wants IT diploma from university in US than basketball future. On one hand I understand players without high upside because they can start good in life without being imbeciles with 23 with no perspective and no university diploma but promising players with that path ruin there perspective.

It's interesting cause he had quite a handful of offers, better ones than this, but he seem to be sincerely believing that this coach can develop tall point guards or tall guards. Also probably reasoning is to be big in smaller yard than smaller in big yard. Anyway, went through twitter history, he really had quite few praises. I think he looks at BB career pretty seriously. And again thos commitment was kinda noisy. Such a big letter and well spread through the media, any scrub wouldn't get so many shares. But I get your point.

[Straight forward]

Spotlight on Marciulionis. Generally, I think he's doing OK, adjusting to new culture not trying to go over his head. But one thing that I don't like that he added too much weight instantly. IMO, he overdid a little bit. Why to become chubby (in your lower body)? That doesn't help. IMO, that's one of the reason whey he struggles to score. He has much more scoring in himself that he currently showing. Nevertheless, for rookies, specially guards, NCAA campaign is not so easy (again, Saras was barely playing first year). Most of the freshmen are not even playing first year, and the fact that Marciulionis and Lukosius getting minutes consistently is already a nice thing.

After 15 non-conference games, if there has been pressure on Marciulionis, it has not shown. The freshman earned his first two collegiate starts to close out non-conference play, and has played over 20 minutes in six of the last seven games. While he is only averaging 4.6 points per game, he leads the Gaels in free throw percentage (84.6%), is tied for second on the team in assists (37), and is second in steals (17).

https://smcgaels.com/news/2022/1/4/general-gael-spotlight-marciulionis-making-the-transition.aspx

[Straight forward]

Sylvain Francisco just stole a game winner from Jokubaitis. Rokas nailed a lay up with 6sec to go, Francisco tied it and sent it yo overtime. ACB is a fun league.