Lithuanian Point Guards

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Holly shit, Jakucionis has itl. Really special player. God bless his health and attitudes cause Lithuania's basketball in the hands of this guy. He has it all. Tremendous feel for the game, IQ, skill, unmatched intensity that he generates. Best LTU guard prospect ever, IMO. He has so much in him and it seems like he adds more and more with each month. Now we can see nifty fade away jimmies which we didn't see much previously, even more aggressive change of directions (and the trick passes continues). It was first real deal game against Alabama, their players are strong and experienced and KJ unleashed a good game. Embrace top 5 conversations. He's getting there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0gsVfK5-M&ab_channel=CBBEurope

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Marciulionis shoots 38% threes with 4.2 attempts per game. "Mister bricker"

https://x.com/saintmaryshoops/status/1859446517842706783

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Jokubaitis growing. Sneakily having an efficient EL season and getting better. 10 dimes, 19eff game against Italians. Second most efficient EL player with 12,3eff. 5.5 dimes in 23mpg is solid, but I think he's only yet to show his best and his shape is catching up what he lost when he was playing to sporadically in Barca last season. What I see from Jokubaitis that he utilizes space better now. Much less unnecessary moves, he just makes couple of power steps, change of directions and gets where he wants to get. I think he got better, playing within even slower pace, but more precise and physical. This is good indications cause what NT has been lacking recently - guys who can get inside against any defense. Soft ass Grigonis can't slash. He simply doesn't have physicality. Jokubaitis slowly approaching prime can be that first player who can brake elite defenses. Sure, he won't be world class player, but he's really growing elite EL PG and he brings what we need. Not enough for now to win big, but surely should be very nice in 2025 EB.

In 2028 Lithuania will have top3 Euro PG section with KJ, Rokas, Marciulionis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWw_S7Avvik&ab_channel=15min

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Sneaked into EL stats and Jokubaitis stands 5th in assists. First his teammate Blatt who was stealing his minutes, but when Blatt went down, Jokubaitis started to play +20 minutes and since then he's 6.3apg. Not far away from top tier EL PGs section as Campazzo or the same Shorts.

Zalgiris are hyping Francisco, but Jokubaitis holds similar efficiency. And overall I would want Jokubaitis to be a decision maker of my team, not Francisco. Dude has more ISO, but less facilitation and IQ. Rokas will be better player. Now they are on the same tier, but in three years it won't be even close.

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Sneaked into EL stats and Jokubaitis stands 5th in assists. First his teammate Blatt who was stealing his minutes, but when Blatt went down, Jokubaitis started to play +20 minutes and since then he's 6.3apg. Not far away from top tier EL PGs section as Campazzo or the same Shorts.

Zalgiris (and some redneck fans here who think he's better than any Lithuanian in EL) hyping Francisco, but Jokubaitis holds similar efficiency. And overall I would want Jokubaitis to be a decision maker of my team, not Francisco. Dude has more ISO, but less facilitation and IQ. Rokas will be better player. Now they are on the same tier, but in three years it won't be even close.

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Gotta love KJ's coach. I don't trust Buzelis coach a tiny bit, but Kasparas landed on a good coach in NCAA. Brad takes is straight forward, he just says how it is and admits his own faults or mistakes like in this video. I value such honesty very much:

https://x.com/TristanThomasTV/status/1860023558883410091

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Word on KJ - 25:15

I like No Ceilings guys. The same guys who used to be The Stepien. Always spot on and in most cases they see the game like I do. One has KJ at 4-5, other top 10. Dude's just played couple of NCAA games, but eye test says a lot of amazing things.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/37cCLku9hwuiDIEcOH7DK7?si=c6e783cb4c3b412f&nd=1&dl si=5eee1a0be2334452

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KJ finally let the three fly a little bit. Dude gotta unleash that jimmy. It is obviously Brad's impact that he takes less wild shots, but he shouldn't forget his aggressive side. Gotta let those threes fly. 9 shots make more sense, but still too little for the best player on the court. 8/8FTs is nice though. Had a pesky white dude on him and received a technical foul after celebrating on opponents face after a bucket. Brad was proud LOL

https://x.com/TheIlliniFN/status/1861457923248943447

https://x.com/glenn_kinley/status/1861279685981696305

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sbnation.com drops Kasparas at 8th.

I have very mixed feeling when I see projection of Bulls drafting him. Yeah, it would be a blessing for NT KJ playing with Buzelis, like two leaders polishing the game together and come to dominate in summers, but this is same old clueless Chicago...I think if you're good you will play anywhere, like Buzelis now, but I still kinda wish some Spurs or something for him:


8. Chicago Bulls - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

Jakucionis’ combination of positional size, elite passing vision, rim pressure, and shooting upside gives him a chance to force his way into top-10 discussions. The 6’6 Lithuanian point guard has a case as the most creative passer in this class. He has a special ability to manipulate the opposing defense and zip outlets, corner skips, lobs, and pocket passes to his teammates for baskets. He’s aggressive getting downhill, and while he’s not an above the rim finisher, he’s already shown impressive craft in getting to the foul line. Jakucionis appears to have a lot of confidence in his jumper, with plenty of pull-up shooting flashes showing up on the tape from his time with Barcelona. The consistency with his three-point shot and overall scoring punch will be under the microscope, but there are a lot of traits here worth betting on.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2024/11/26/24301556/nba-mock-draft-2025-update-first-round-cooper-flagg-wizards-76ers

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https://x.com/mcfxz/status/1862278070620578094

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Strange rumor is that KJ might decide to stay for another year in Illini. That's very very off. If you projected lottery you are in perfect situation and sign something like 20mill contract or whatever. Money is the least interesting for me, but being 19yo is the best age to be drafted high. KJ would probably increase his numbers even further next year, but he also wouldn't be a rookie anymore and one more year older. So what's the reason behind that? Can he push his stock even higher? Doubt it. The only reason I see - he prioritizes his development and not instant transition to the NBA. In Illini he would get guaranteed +30 minutes each night and leader's role. In NBA as a rookie he would get just minor role first year and maybe even no playing time in some games. So maybe that's the reasoning. But this way he would risk his lottery status now and he would stick to NCAA BB too much, IMO. I believe it's way better to start to adjust to NBA physicality, space and pace as soon as it's possible. Calderon is a good example. He went to the NBA earlier than Jasikevicius and had long term career. Jasikevicius as more talented player, but his game was already too fixated for Europe and EL. I believe if Saras was in the NBA since his early 20s, he could make it in the NBA. For Jakucionis to be in the NBA as 19yo is a great position, IMO. The sooner he will taste NBA basketball, the sooner he will become a legitimate NBA player. I hope this rumor is false and we'll see KJ in the NBA next season. This will only harden his up for 2027 and 2028 fights with NT. We have no time to waste.

https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1862339592894259572

[Toruko]

Strange rumor is that KJ might decide to stay for another year in Illini. That's very very off. If you projected lottery you are in perfect situation and sign something like 20mill contract or whatever. Money is the least interesting for me, but being 19yo is the best age to be drafted high. KJ would probably increase his numbers even further next year, but he also wouldn't be a rookie anymore and one more year older. So what's the reason behind that? Can he push his stock even higher? Doubt it. The only reason I see - he prioritizes his development and not instant transition to the NBA. In Illini he would get guaranteed +30 minutes each night and leader's role. In NBA as a rookie he would get just minor role first year and maybe even no playing time in some games. So maybe that's the reasoning. But this way he would risk his lottery status now and he would stick to NCAA BB too much, IMO. I believe it's way better to start to adjust to NBA physicality, space and pace as soon as it's possible. Calderon is a good example. He went to the NBA earlier than Jasikevicius and had long term career. Jasikevicius as more talented player, but his game was already too fixated for Europe and EL. I believe if Saras was in the NBA since his early 20s, he could make it in the NBA. For Jakucionis to be in the NBA as 19yo is a great position, IMO. The sooner he will taste NBA basketball, the sooner he will become a legitimate NBA player. I hope this rumor is false and we'll see KJ in the NBA next season. This will only harden his up for 2027 and 2028 fights with NT. We have no time to waste.

https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1862339592894259572

The reason would be obvious. He does not consider himself being ready and wants to go to the NBA in a shape that he can take a role immediately and without pressure

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The reason would be obvious. He does not consider himself being ready and wants to go to the NBA in a shape that he can take a role immediately and without pressure

But it's too risky and he would have to go through first season pains anyway, being 19yo, 20yo or 21yo. Better do it now and learn from this, develop. At least my take.

[Toruko]

But it's too risky and he would have to go through first season pains anyway, being 19yo, 20yo or 21yo. Better do it now and learn from this, develop. At least my take.

I agree.

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This makes perfect sense to me dropping KJ at 3#. Flagg is No.1. No question. Personally I have some doubts whenever he's a generational USA player, I don't really see that, but he seperates himself from others as being consensual No.1 pick. I studied No.2 pick Dyan Harper. For us 90's Bulls guys, I can say that it's legendary Ron Harper son. Dude is good, he is ISO gifted scorer, strong, athletic. So he obviously is more explosive and athletic slasher than KJ. But he's not a good shooter (solid at best) and he's not special at facilitation. To put it short, I don't see him being a special player. For Kasparas I can see a scenario where he can become a sensation in the NBA as high IQ facilitation freak, Doncic light presense in the NBA (with less booty ball, but more deadly step three). In the best case scenario he can be something close to Doncic or at least sure fire lead guard in the NBA. I don't see how Harper can be anything special in the NBA. He's not. So I don't particularly buy this. KJ is yet not projected as a top 3 as consensus, but I believe he is still underrated, just as most Euro still do. Doncic was also underrated gooing to the draft. Americans still refuse to fully embrace the fact that higher IQ and way more fundamentally sound Europeans taking over basketball. Jakucionis is one of that kind. Amazing IQ, feel and fundamentals. He's gonna have better career in the NBA than such as Harper, maybe even Flagg. I don't see higher IQ players in this draft than Kasparas'. Flagg has fundamentals, but I feel certain limitation regarding his style of play. His game is very much build on athleticism, I don't feel transcendent upside aside athleticism. It's not like he's transcendantly skilled or playing with his mind. He's a about explosiveness, and he's explosive, but he's not young and healthy Zion Williams kinda explosive. That's where my certain pessimism comes for him. He's gonna be a starer, likely an all star, but I don't see generational talent. Actually I feel more upside in Buzelis. His lean body and skills and how he floats on the court. He just seems lighter and more transcendent on his feet. Flagg to me seems to be a bit heavy footed and I lack a degree of finesse.

My projection is crazy, but I wouldn't be shocked if Jakucionis becomes the best player of this draft class. Traore is really good, he's a special slasher, special first step, but he's not as good shooter and not as special facilitator as KJ (even though a magician with the ball too). So it makes sense to put Traore at 4.

To me Flagg, Jakucionis and Traore are best prospects prospects in this draft. I didn't study all players closely, but from what I've seen I have those as the best.

https://x.com/bjpf_/status/1863236864783925750/photo/1