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Bishop45 wrote:Got a chance at a high ceiling point guard at 20, regardless of if he’s Winslow or not, completely worth taking a chance on!

On the other side of the Atlantic, national federations and teams are grappling with the trade-off posed by the exodus of young talent to the U.S.

"For Lithuania, it means that we have way fewer talented young players in our top division. That's the downside of players flooding the NCAA," explains Augustas Suliauskas, a Lithuanian basketball analyst for BasketNews, before finding a silver lining. "But I believe those players have a higher chance of coming back later in their careers as better players, strengthening the league and the National Team."

This seems to be the case with Jakucionis, who, according to Lithuanian media, recently met with Linas Kleiza, as the General Manager of the Lithuanian National Team begins rounding up the roster ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

"I firmly believe Kasparas is the most talented perimeter player and the second most talented guy overall we've had only behind Matas Buzelis," observes Suliauskas, underscoring the high expectations for him in his home country. "I even think Jakucionis is the best guard prospect we've had since both Sarunas — Marciulionis and Jasikevicius. Two big names, but I expect huge things from Kasparas."

Jakucionis has mentioned jumbo-sized point guards such as Luka Doncic, Nick Calathes, and Andrew Nembhard as basketball influences. The mold of a player who has the size to play small forward, the vision to operate as a point guard, and the skills to create his own shot is something that could prove valuable for NBA teams.

"Jakucionis has always been a mismatch," says Molero. "His impact at the NBA level will come as a lead ball-handler, likely coming off the bench, and adapting to a wing initiator role. Any team will value his intelligence and unselfishness when it comes to decision-making. He knows how to pass the ball — and that's not something that everyone has".

However, before he can do that at a high level on an NBA floor, scouts note that further development will be necessary.

"Jakucionis has challenges athletically, he is ground-bound and does not possess outlier burst. This is also emphasized by his handle limitations where he has a knack for turning the ball over," says Potluri.

Mittal, meanwhile, envisions a potential avenue for success at the NBA level: "When he cuts down the turnovers, Kasparas' ability to score and create for others is very impressive for such a young player. Combine that with his fearless play, and he has the building blocks to become a high-level NBA talent. It will take time to reach his ceiling, but the potential is definitely there."

From his early years in Lithuania, to his stint in Spain, to opening the door for international recruiting at Illinois, everything has prepared Jakucionis for the next step. And when asked about his future in the NBA Draft, he looks back at his early career in Europe, where it all began.

"Jabari Parker said ‘Be Like Water' — fit in everything, be adaptable, be flexible in every situation," Jakucionis said on The Deep 3 Podcast, when asked about the best piece of advice he received in his young career. "Going into the NBA, making that transition, obviously you don't know where you're going to get drafted and you don't know what the situation is going to be like… Your versatility is something that you can really focus on."

"Any situation and whatever the team needs me to do to win — I can do. I'll just do my best, give my effort on both ends of the floor and be the best version of myself."

greg4012 wrote:

3rd best rate of creation among first rounders in this class

MettaWorldPanda wrote:

greg4012 wrote:

3rd best rate of creation among first rounders in this class

Offensive engine vrooooooom

Wiltside wrote:

Bishop45 wrote:Got a chance at a high ceiling point guard at 20, regardless of if he’s Winslow or not, completely worth taking a chance on!

If Winslow had to walk so KJ could run, our boy died for something Bish

unowen85 wrote:Goran was supposed to join the front office this year. Hopefully that actually happens and he can start working on Kasparas’s development.