WELCOME Kasparas Jakucionis...our new Dragic? *POLL*

[RexBoyWonder]

So he really slipped for some reason, he was projected to go at around 10 at most mock drafts.

Wonder why. Good luck to the kid. We really need him to pan out.

Watch on YouTube

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[Jstock12]

Here's him dominating against Real Madrid's backcourt of Egor Demin and Hugo Gonzalez

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[RexBoyWonder]

Watch on YouTube

They hyped

[RexBoyWonder]

Watch on YouTube

He does bring that style and charisma of a Tim Duncan.

[RexBoyWonder]

Watch on YouTube

Good listen.

We didn't expect him to be available, so didn't worked him out. Pray he's not a Winslow..I heard he had some bad workouts that probably resulted in him drooping, possibly due to some ankle minor injury.

[Bishop45]

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!

[Wiltside]

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

[3ammy3uck3ts]

He’s like right in between Dragic and Wade RIGHT NOW.

[Jstock12]

[CrossOver]

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."

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/news/next-big-thing-kasparas-jakucionis-lithuanias-future-at-point-guard

[greg4012]

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

[MettaWorldPanda]

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

Offensive engine vrooooooom

[eddieheatfan]

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

Offensive engine vrooooooom

heat needs to make more changes to convince me

[Bishop45]

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

You know he's somewhere, getting stronger for the day that he can be a gritty 15th man!

[Bloodbather]

Never watched him, but reading about him gives me a good feeling. Said to be really adept at running the pick 'n' roll. That makes him an excellent fit with Ware-Bam, which is something I care about more than his terrible defensive fit with Herro, because I think Herro isn't someone you take into account while building for bigger things.

[dshearn]

watching the euro games....no lie...the dude looks like a young Blake Griffen size dude....he looks huge...like bigger then a 6-5 size dude should....we sure he is 6-5? like when was he last measured?

[KingDavid]

Whoa! Why on earth did he fall down to #20? He looks like a lotto pick. He lacks athleticism, but he seems pretty crafty and a really good passer. He might be able to draw a lot of fouls with the way he shoots his 3s.

[unowen85]

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

[Wiltside]

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

Hard to imagine a better mentor for him. Seems like he’s a true gym rat too, so you know he will be working to get stronger and improve.

[Wiltside]

https://youtube.com/shorts/8VfhohySsuA?si=Eq96q76VMrt_qhmt

Spo working on that Riley level rizz game

Edit: ffs how do you embed again?!