Lithuanian Point Guards

[Hepcat]

It's not about Grigonis and Jokubaitis comparison. It's about the fact Grigonis doesn't deliver when it matters. Knock out stage, playoffs is where medals are being snatched.

So go celebrate your Grigonis averages. In knock out stage he sucked. Live with that. I want knock out stage wins.

If the knockout stage games against Italy and Puerto Rico are combined, Rokas Jokubaitis had an EFF of 27 and a +/- of 3 in a total of 44:19 minutes of playing time while Marius Grigonis had an EFF of 33 and a +/- of 5 in a total of 50:03 minutes of playing time. But they were Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the two games. It was Grigonis who starred against Italy while Jokubaitis was only decent but it was Jokubaitis who was excellent against Puerto Rico while Grigonis was mediocre.

[Straight forward]

Solid start for Jokubaitis with Maccabi jerseys, 11/4/4, but couldn't create decent game winning attempt shot:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_m9xmiN0MH/?hl=en&amp%3Bimg_index=11&img_index=11

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Point Guard

Projected starter: Kasparas Jakucionis (27 mpg)

Potential first-round 2025 NBA Draft pick Kasparas Jakucionis, who committed to Illinois in late May, was among the top international prospects Underwood reeled in this offseason. At 6-foot-5, Jakucionis is a longer-bodied PG who excels as a true facilitator and dime-disher who shined during the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Championship this summer.

With his excellent court vision and ability to create open opportunities for teammates, it makes sense for Jakucionis to join the starting lineup as the point guard. Brad Underwood has options at this spot (i.e. Boswell), but putting the ball in Jakucionis's hands plays to both of their strengths -- facilitating (Jakucionis) and three-point shooting (Boswell).

Bench: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (7 mpg)

Despite being a freshman on a roster littered with experience, Gibbs-Lawhorn carved out a role off the bench last season, averaging 2.4 PPG in seven minutes per contest. As an explosive scorer with another offseason of development, expecting a role off the bench for Gibbs-Lawhorn as the backup PG seems wise.

Bench: Ty Rodgers (6 mpg)

G/F Ty Rodgers was last year’s starting point guard. This season, Underwood has assembled more natural fits at the PG spot. However, given Rodgers’ experience running the point, Underwood likely will want to role with some experience in certain situations as the lead guard.

https://bustingbrackets.com/posts/illinois-basketball-projected-roster-rotation-and-minutes-for-2024-25-season-01j704jeer48/2

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Rokas with 24pts in exhibition against Bayern. Hopefully a wealthy season a head. He needs tons of playing minutes, it's time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_6MFS-sxYo/?hl=en

[Straight forward]

Sports Illustrated dude ranked KJ as 5th NCAA guard prospect overall. I personally don't think that KJ will play off ball a lot. I think he will be snatching 1 spot pretty much dominantly. Brad Underwood said he will use KJ more like he was used in Barca, meaning running more pick and rolls. How can you run pick and roll off ball? Anyway, KJ can play both, on and off, but I want him to see with the ball as true lead guard. Most important thing is minutes and matching physicality. Really, it feels like the biggest intrigue to me ever when it comes to NCAA basketball. Can he unleash dominant rather early and build his way to mid first round, or maybe even mid lottery? No-one even projected that for Sabonis prior his NCAA career. Now we have a guy who is realistically projected so high. Now we'll know what Kaspa is build off. Long term he's at the very least elite EL player. But if he just brakes all the wholes and goes straight to NBA it would be huge. He would re-write LTU guards history. Now just work work work. Great to hear he continues to impress in practices.


5. Kasparas Jakucionis | Freshman | Combo Guard | Illinois


Lithuanian sensation Kasparas Jakucionis has been turning heads in practice at Illinois after a really impressive amateur campaign in Europe and in FIBA U18 tournaments. While he will likely play more off the ball, he is still a solid creator for others, as well as for himself. He has advanced shot making ability and can fill it up from multiple spots on the floor. Jakucionis could find himself in the mid-lottery as well.

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2025-nba-draft-top-guard-prospects-in-college-basketball-rutgers-byu-baylor

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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/big-ten-basketball-top-10-impact-freshmen-for-2024-25-season-01j4f6df4fk7/5

[Svajunas]

Too much praise. Can't handle it.

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That's it, KJ shouldn't get any bigger. He can get even more ripped if needed, but shouldn't get any bigger than that, IMO. Now he looks like he should look, lean muscle. Glad to see he's not on some kind of crazy bulking up mode, Marciulionis overdid a bit in Gaels with that in his first season:|

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeZVQdMJn4/?img_index=1

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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).

[Straight forward]

Good news about KJ. Illini head coach says Kasparas stands out offensively and he would be the guy if the game took place now.

Brad Underwood also tells me that if Illinois had a game tonight, 6-6 freshman Kasparas Jakucionis would be the guy who would be featured offensively.

Underwood on Jakucionis: "He's separated himself."

https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/1843334427163930985

And here's his signature move, a step back three.

https://x.com/HoopInformatics/status/1843452155316883844

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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 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/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players

[zalias]

Don't get why Givoni so high on Kirvas 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.

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

[Straight forward]

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

Not a boderline lottery guy however you watch it.

[Straight forward]

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%28Rivals.com%29

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.