Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis opens up about a slow start, attributing it to a lack of rhythm following a three-month layoff, adjusting to the NBA's pace, and feeling rushed in his first Summer League games.
Kasparas Jakucionis, the Miami Heat's 20th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is off to a rocky start in his professional debut.
Kasparas Jakučionis
Kasparas Jakučionis
Position: PG
Age: 19
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 93 kg
Birth place: Vilnius, Lithuania
Through his first three Summer League games at the California Classic, the Lithuanian guard has scored just 12 points while shooting 1-of-15 from the field (6.7%), including 0-of-11 from three-point range. He has gone 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-6 (1.98 m) former Illinois standout also tallied 12 turnovers and just six assists during the three-game stretch.
"I think I need to just settle in more, play at my own pace, don't get sped up too much as I was in these three games," Jakucionis told The Miami Herald. "I didn't feel myself in those games. But I think that's normal. It's a process, so I'm just happy to be here, happy to be able to learn from coaches, from other guys by working out, watching film, and just understanding the game."
Jakucionis attributed his early struggles to rust following a long break between his final college game and his Summer League debut.
"I think I'm just not in a rhythm," he explained. "I'm just trying to get back in a rhythm after all the process I had. So I'm just trying to get back to myself and just trying to execute as hard as I can. When I go to the court, I just give 100%. Even if I don't do the best on offense, I try to give 100% on defense and just try to help the team win."
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Despite his shooting woes, Jakucionis has found ways to contribute. In the three games—where the Heat went 2-1—he forced 12 free throws and recorded four steals.
"I'm not too worried about shooting," he said. "I know that I can shoot, and it's just a matter of time. Just trying to work on it, just trying to do what the coach says and execute as hard as I can."
Next up for Jakucionis and the Heat is the Las Vegas Summer League, where they'll play at least five more games.
Miami, which won the Vegas Summer League title last year, opens play Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.
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