Kasparas Jakucionis, the Miami Heat’s promising rookie guard, experienced a summer league season full of highs and lows, showing both flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle. Selected 20th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Jakucionis entered the league with high expectations.
The 19-year-old faced an uphill battle adjusting to the speed and physicality of professional basketball. His shooting percentages struggled early on, including a tough stretch where he shot just 1-for-15 from the field over three games.
However, Jakucionis did not let early difficulties deter him. In the Heat’s first game of the Las Vegas Summer League, he exploded for 24 points, including an impressive 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc.
Coach Erik Spoelstra praised Jakucionis’s mental makeup despite his uneven offensive performance. “He found ways to impact the game beyond scoring — with defense, hustle, and passing,” Spoelstra said during a summer league broadcast.
Jakucionis averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over six summer league games, showing steady improvement and valuable experience gained.
Turnovers remained a challenge, with 22 total during the summer league, but the coaching staff sees this as part of his learning curve, especially for a young guard adapting to the NBA’s pace.
Assistant coach Eric Glass highlighted the importance of the summer league for Jakucionis’s development. “We got to know Kas, and he got to know us. Now we have time to help him get ready for the season.”
Jakucionis’s ability to draw fouls and convert from the free-throw line was a bright spot, making 23 of 25 attempts. This demonstrates his aggression and willingness to attack the basket.
His work ethic and positive attitude stood out during the summer league, earning respect from teammates and coaches alike.
Following the summer league, Jakucionis returned to Lithuania to spend time with family before gearing up for his first NBA training camp in Miami.
Despite the ups and downs, Jakucionis remains focused on the process. “Every experience helps you grow. I’m just happy for this opportunity,” he said.
With hard work and continued development, Kasparas Jakucionis is positioning himself to be an exciting part of the Miami Heat’s future.