The Miami Heat are well represented internationally.
Last summer, they had three representatives for EuroBasket 2025.
Now, for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European qualifiers, they will have at least one, with second-year guard Kasparas Jakucionis joining the Lithuanian National Team, according to the Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman.
Lithuania will play two games on July 2 and 5 against Great Britain and Italy, respectively.
As Winderman points out, these two games do conflict with the Heat’s Summer League schedule. They will have three California Classic games in San Francisco, Calif., from July 3-6. But representing your home country in World Cup qualifying should be the foremost priority 11 out of 10 times.
The last time that Jakucionis represented Lithuania was in 2024 for the U18 EuroBasket 2024. In seven games, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 19.4 points 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 46.6 percent from the floor, 31.9 percent from 3-point range and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.
His scoring in that tournament was good for the eighth-most among qualified players, while his 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals both ranked inside the top-15.
In his rookie season with the Heat, their No. 20 overall selection averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 42.9/42.3/87.9 shooting splits. He was one of their better point-of-attack defenders, spot-up shooters and connectors.
This will be invaluable experience for him, no matter how many in-game reps he receives. Congratulations, Kasparas!
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I was surprised by his maturity, intensity, high bbiq and defense. Especially considering he was only 19 years old. With proper development, I can see him as a starting player (PG or combo guard) in two years. He needs another year under Mitchell’s mentorship and more NBA playing experience. I would like to keep Mitchell either way. He can be an excellent back-up PG down the road.
Great, those games are at the higher level as summer league.
Kas is probably happy to not attend the California classic, where he had a disastrous debut, lol. And, of course, some people immediately wrote him off.
playing versus bros playing versing europeans like the difference between our postings and sm postings.two different levels.2015 approaching lebron status hes been working on those ps.even niko could look good in europe.even u or me could have a lebron posting every now and then
“playing versus bros playing versing europeans like the difference between our postings and sm postings.two different levels“
Jovic can attest to that
Except he played well against everyone this season at times. And I certainly don’t need you to rate my comments.
played well at times.who plays bad all the time only 1 guy can think of nj
And even that statement isn’t true. What’s true is that, overall, he was terrible.
There is difference, that’s for sure. International ball is more complex, but slower. There are also mostly experienced grown man on the other side of the court.
I would compare it with different group of muscle training. Playing summer league with you peers is like training one group of muscles, playing international ball is like training the other group of muscles. You need both to gets better, so thats a good thing.