Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat controls the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Kaseya Center on January 17, 2026 in Miami. Carmen Mandato Getty Images
Miami Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis has entered an exclusive group this season.
At 19 years old, Jakucionis is only the sixth Heat player in franchise history to appear in an NBA game before turning 20. The others on that list are Michael Beasley, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Justise Winslow and Dorell Wright.
But this isn’t Jakucionis’ first professional experience, as he moved from Lithuania at 15 to play basketball in Spain for three years in Barcelona before heading to the United States to play college basketball at Illinois for one season and then being selected by the Heat with the 20th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
“The thing is that he has is a great ambition,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Jakucionis. “He had that ambition when he was 13 and 14, knowing that he wanted to be a professional basketball player. That’s unique. Obviously, the great players out of the States have that dream as well.
“But then to move away from your family at 15. And even at that age, he learned Spanish. He’s fluent in Spanish. That’s impressive because he was just there to play basketball. But he takes everything seriously, and he has a work ethic to match that ambition. He doesn’t want to just be in the league. He wants to really make an impact.”
Jakucionis has made an impact lately, emerging amid the Heat’s injury issues after spending the first part of his rookie season in the G League.
Entering Thursday night’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center, Jakucionis has played in 17 of the Heat’s last 18 games. This stretch has been far from perfect, but Jakucionis has also flashed his intriguing potential as a playmaking guard who also has opened eyes with his hustle, improved three-point shooting and physicality on both ends of the court.
Jakucionis has averaged 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 31.7% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range during this 18-game stretch that has included 17 appearances. He had played only 53.7 seconds in the NBA through the Heat’s first 26 games of the season prior to this 18-game span.
“I have to stay ready always,” said Jakucionis, who doesn’t turn 20 until May 29. “And whenever I get the chance, I just try to embrace it. And outside of that, I just try to be ready, work out and watch film and just be mentally ready.”
While there have been more quiet performances than standout stat lines for Jakucionis during this stretch of consistent playing time, there have also been some eye-opening moments.
Jakucionis totaled 17 points, six rebounds and four assists in a Dec. 19 loss to the Boston Celtics and also recorded 12 points, five rebounds and eight assists in a Jan. 15 home loss to the Celtics. During Saturday’s home win against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Jakucionis dished out seven assists to zero turnovers.
“He’s trying to do the right thing every play,” Heat center and captain Bam Adebayo said of Jakucionis. “He’s trying to play fast. He’s trying to overcommunicate. When you see a young guy like that, he has a bright future for him because he’s committed to what we’re telling him, what we’re asking of him.”
Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) drives past San Antonio Spurs forward Lindy Waters III (43) during an NBA preseason game at Kaseya Center on October 8, 2025, in Miami. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Jakucionis’ work ethic has especially impressed the Heat.
“He’s relentless with his approach, and I find that just super unique for a teenager,” Spoelstra said. “How ambitious he is and how relentless he is with his work ethic. Watching film, coming back and getting extra workouts. He’s one of those guys that you have to tell him, ‘No, you’ve already worked out three times today.’ And he’ll ignore us. Even in these games where he’s starting to play more minutes, he’ll still go up there after the game and do a 45-minute workout.”
The fact that Jakucionis is finding a way to earn playing time for the Heat at 19 years old doesn’t surprise his college coach.
“I think one of the real advantages for him as a 19-year-old kid is he’s very, very strong,” Illinois men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood said. “He’s already got a great body. He’s got huge hands. He’s got length. The other piece is he’s really tough on [the defensive] end. He fights. He is an elite competitor. Elite competitor. To me, that’s about half the battle on the defensive side. He’s got a lot going for him. The other thing is he studies it. He wants to know what his guy is going to do. He’s got great anticipation.”
Before this stretch of NBA playing time, Jakucionis dealt with injury issues early in his rookie season before spending time in the G League. He missed part of training camp and a chunk of the preseason because of a sprained left wrist prior to playing in one full exhibition and then being sidelined for the first seven regular-season games with a strained right groin.
When Jakucionis was finally cleared to return, he was sent to the G League. Before rejoining the Heat on Dec. 7, Jakucionis averaged 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range in eight G League appearances for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
“He’s certainly ready from all the work that he’s put in behind the scenes and the Sioux Falls games,” Spoelstra said. “And then the times that he’s been given an opportunity, he’s played well. So that makes all think because we trust now in those minutes, and he’s earning more.”
Earning more and continuing to develop.
“I think every day I’m trying to add at least something to my game to be better,” Jakucionis said. “Even if it’s 0.001%, I’m just trying to do my best every day. And whenever I have a chance, I try to stay ready. And whenever an opportunity comes, I try to approach it the right way.”