Lithuanian Point Guards

[Straight forward]

Another potentially high profile PG emerging. Nikas Stuknys led Next Generation Team in assists, 7ppg. He also seems to be terrific defender. Led the team im steals as well, 2.8spg. So essentially was a high impact player 14.8eff. Only 8ppg though. Interesting how his offensive game will develop.

Have to greet myself for seeing his potential in summer despite his super limited role with U17 NT:

Nikas Stunkys may be interesting in the long term. Tall guard/forward with a good decision making and court vision.

[Straight forward]

Seems like A. Marciulionis will stay in NCAA for another year despite disappointing role last season. It's not official yet, but it's seems that things moving towards that direction.

Losing leading scorer Logan Johnson will be difficult but expect Augustas Marciulionis to slide into the starting lineup and form an awesome backcourt duo with Aidan Mahaney.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/seven-early-2023-24-college-basketball-title-futures-bets-to-make-now

PS: Aidan Mahaney is projected as first rounder in 2024 or 2025 drafts. I think he will play more at 2 as he's a great shooter/scorer and Marciulionis finally will occupy starting PGs spot.

[Straight forward]

I see that Jokubaitis in optimal physical shape at the moment. Something that I was missing ever since 2021/2022 mid season. Now he goes to the cup really hard and very hard to contain. Not the perfect game in ACB, but still decent, and there's a lot chances that he will be good again Kaunas. Like how he splits the D frequently now:

https://twitter.com/ACBCOM/status/1652710933272334336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1652710933272334336%7Ctwgr%5Ecd2748f2d45fcf8682dad534be291a9cff351077%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.krepsinis.net%2Fnaujiena%2Fpries-kelione-i-kauna-barcelona-laimejo-sevilijoje%2F327396

[Straight forward]

17yo Nikas Stuknys made his debut in LKL. Played 6 minutes made nice mid range bucket after crossover, dished 2 assists. Listed as 194cm, long wingspan. So lengthy PG with good defence and good IQ at offense. Looking forward to see him with U18 NT, his role should be much bigger than he got with U17. Next season he should see some consistent playing time in Lietkabelis if you ask me. Maybe some 10pmg would make sense.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Crv7uI-gIJr/?hl=en

[Straight forward]

Jokubaitis ISO game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKonFBvcu5g&ab_channel=Prez

Is he qualified as a guard who can create his own shot? Well, he's not on Dragic, Parker, Marciulionis level, but I think he exceeds guys like Jasikevicius, Teodosic in this department.

[Serbian_Layup]

Jokubaitis ISO game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKonFBvcu5g&ab_channel=Prez

Is he qualified as a guard who can create his own shot? Well, he's not on Dragic, Parker, Marciulionis level, but I think he exceeds guys like Jasikevicius, Teodosic in this department.

Hmmm...Let me tell you this, Teodosić as a 22 y.o. led Serbian NT to silver medal at 2009 Eurobasket, dropping 30+ points on Slovenia in semifinals..and I think he also had a fantastic game vs Lithuania earlier in the group stage. All games in double digits. And doing that with bunch of other kids with little help from experienced players. I don't think that Jokubaitis has that kind of scoring prowess, let alone exceeding them right now.

My opinion on Jokubaitis is that he can be everything from back up point guard at Euroleague level to star floor general. That will be clearer with bigger usage and more minutes. The opportunity to play for Lithuania as primary ball handler at the World Cup is a big chance for him to showcase his talent.

[Straight forward]

Hmmm...Let me tell you this, Teodosić as a 22 y.o. led Serbian NT to silver medal at 2009 Eurobasket, dropping 30+ points on Slovenia in semifinals..and I think he also had a fantastic game vs Lithuania earlier in the group stage. All games in double digits. And doing that with bunch of other kids with little help from experienced players. I don't think that Jokubaitis has that kind of scoring prowess, let alone exceeding them right now.

My opinion on Jokubaitis is that he can be everything from back up point guard at Euroleague level to star floor general. That will be clearer with bigger usage and more minutes. The opportunity to play for Lithuania as primary ball handler at the World Cup is a big chance for him to showcase his talent.

But I meant very specific thing - ISO scoring. Teodosic at this age was surely better shooter and Jokubaitis will never be as good my guess. And he likely was better passer (for flashier for sure, like some absolutely trick passes). But Jokubaitis to me seems to have more ISO game like dominant physical slashing to both sides, absorbing the contact, hesitation move, fade a way from one leg kinda shot, crossover. I feel like Jokubaitis has more slashing and mid range game. Debatable though. It's not debate about their upside, but particularly about ISO scoring skills.

PS: Jokubaitis will be 22 this summer and well...14ppg is not gonna be reached most likely, but it doesn't seem like the top of the mountain as well.

When Teo dropped 30, it was based on threes a lot.

[Straight forward]

BTW, speaking about Teodosic, crazy shift happened between 2008/2009 season, after which he exploded with very solid EB 2009. In that season he was playing only 14mpg (just like Jokubaitis now) for Olympiacos and only averaging 3,3ppg, 1,7apg, 2eff (compared to Jokubaitis 5.5ppg, 2,6apg, 7eff)

But in 2009/2010 Teodosic gets completely unleashed and playing 30mpg, scores 13,4ppg, and 16,8pir. I could only wish Jokubaitis that Jasikevicius would unleash him like this next season.

[Serbian_Layup]

But I meant very specific thing - ISO scoring. Teodosic at this age was surely better shooter and Jokubaitis will never be as good my guess. And he likely was better passer (for flashier for sure, like some absolutely trick passes). But Jokubaitis to me seems to have more ISO game like dominant physical slashing to both sides, absorbing the contact, hesitation move, fade a way from one leg kinda shot, crossover. I feel like Jokubaitis has more slashing and mid range game. Debatable though. It's not debate about their upside, but particularly about ISO scoring skills.

PS: Jokubaitis will be 22 this summer and well...14ppg is not gonna be reached most likely, but it doesn't seem like the top of the mountain as well.

When Teo dropped 30, it was based on threes a lot.

I don't think Teo's threes come from assists. That's all off the dribble or pull-up shots, which is exactly ISO scoring. But never mind, the point is that he had this scoring outbursts being so young while also achieving great results. I'm not sure whether Jokubaitis can score like that right now. I agree that Jokubaitis is bigger and could be more physical finishing at the rim. We'll see, I think he is going to be a good player but just don't know in what role and to what extent.

[Serbian_Layup]

BTW, speaking about Teodosic, crazy shift happened between 2008/2009 season, after which he exploded with very solid EB 2009. In that season he was playing only 14mpg (just like Jokubaitis now) for Olympiacos and only averaging 3,3ppg, 1,7apg, 2eff (compared to Jokubaitis 5.5ppg, 2,6apg, 7eff)

But in 2009/2010 Teodosic gets completely unleashed and playing 30mpg, scores 13,4ppg, and 16,8pir. I could only wish Jokubaitis that Jasikevicius would unleash him like this next season.

I spoke about this earlier, which is exactly why I say Jokubaitis has a big opportunity at the World Cup to make a name for himself.

[Straight forward]

I don't think Teo's threes come from assists. That's all off the dribble or pull-up shots, which is exactly ISO scoring. But never mind, the point is that he had this scoring outbursts being so young while also achieving great results. I'm not sure whether Jokubaitis can score like that right now. I agree that Jokubaitis is bigger and could be more physical finishing at the rim. We'll see, I think he is going to be a good player but just don't know in what role and to what extent.

That particular game his threes come from assists, from spot up shooting mainly And not to take anything away from legend Teo, midget Lakovic was easy prey for him. But, yeah, Teo had smooth pull up and step back from three, quick release. In this department Jokubaitis is inferior surely.

Till that big game he was averaging 12,9ppg. I kinda expect Jokubaitis to be in the zone of 12-14ppg if he will have green light as primarily ball handler and decision maker.

https://www.facebook.com/EuroBasket/videos/milos-teodosic-goes-off-against-slovenia-eurobasket-2009-full-highlights/2985548918335716/

[Serbian_Layup]

That particular game his threes come from assists, from spot up shooting mainly And not to take anything away from legend Teo, midget Lakovic was easy prey for him. But, yeah, Teo had smooth pull up and step back from three, quick release. In this department Jokubaitis is inferior surely.

Till that big game he was averaging 12,9ppg. I kinda expect Jokubaitis to be in the zone of 12-14ppg if he will have green light as primarily ball handler and decision maker.

https://www.facebook.com/EuroBasket/...5548918335716/

Nice to see this video. I haven't seen it in awhile. The point is to get the ball in your hands and impact the game in both scoring and facilitating ways. That's how Teo exploded. That's how Jokubaitis can make the next step. I also think his relationship with the coach and how Maksvytis sees him will be a factor in his performance. Duda Ivković just put the ball in Teo's hands and gave him a lot of confidence even though Teo didn't play much before that tournament.

[Straight forward]

Jakucionis should learn to treasure the ball more. 6 turnovers, but 5 assists and stellar 19pts with good shooting. It's refreshing to see PG/Combo with really really good jump shot.

We have tos ee how Laurencikas moves, but he's coming from the injury so won't be in his top shape unfortunately. In U16 EB he shot the ball well from three 46.7% and was MVP of the team.

Despite that I believe Jakucionis may be the best 16yo PG we ever had in ANGT EL. Velicka was very dominant slasher and passer with 19eff points, but he couldn't shoot like Jakucionis and that's huge thing for a guard. Marciulionis was 14,5eff kinda guy and Jokubaitis 13,6eff.

Long term I think Jakucionis will be just fine, IMO. Likely the most complete PG prospect at the moment knowing his shooting ability and defensive presence. Jokubaitis has higher IQ and decision making, Marciulionis may have a bit more creativity in terms of facilitation, but Jakucionis has quick, flexible shooting, defence and still very solid facilitation. The only question is - how much he will improve his decision making, that's very important.

[Straight forward]

Went through Nikas Stuknys minutes. What makes him interesting is high IQ facilitation and good defence. That's definition of him. Feels very well in transition, but in half court makes great entry passes and overall good passer and decision maker. The problem, and likely huge - he can't shoot. Both threes and even FTs. That may limit his career a lot if thing won't change. He's not even on Marciulionis level, Marciulionis shoots FTs well and actually has nice touch, just inconsistent. Stuknys shot at this point is just really bad. However, Stuknys finishes nearer the basket well. Has a long wingspan. A little bit of Kariniauskas vibes. His elite IQ, passing and defense may make him EL career, specially if will work on his shot to at least sufficient level.

[Straight forward]

Man, Jakucionis will be huge guard. Lightening quick firs step, he gets where he wants to get, and he does it not because he's bigger and stronger than other, but because he's super agile, quick and has great fundamentals. He can shoot three of the dribble, shoots with the leap, quick release. Shot not always drop yet, but very very polished jumper for a guy who only yet to become 17yo. Tremendous defender, when he's on Topic that looks good. He's wild passer now and a bit careless with the ball, but he's gonna be elite guard.