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“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 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.”
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.”
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.”
Ira Winderman: Heat say Kasparas Jakucionis (left ankle soreness) is now cleared to play. Only Pelle Larsson (ankle) out. (And, of course, Terry Rozier.)
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Anthony Chiang: Kasparas Jakucionis is back with the Heat from the G League. Myron Gardner is also back with the Heat from the G League.
Anthony Chiang: Tyler Herro (right big toe irritation) and Norman Powell (left ankle sprain) listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game vs. Magic in Orlando. Myron Gardner, Vlad Goldin and Kasparas Jakucionis have returned to the G Legaue.
Ira Winderman: Kasparas Jakucionis, Vlad Goldin, Jahmir Young and Myron Gardner all have made it back from the G League and are listed as available tonight for Heat. At least one likely will have to be inactive.
Anthony Chiang: Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis is back with the Heat following his week-long stint in the G League.
Ira Winderman: Kasparas Jakucionis starting today for the Heat G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He has not played since a groin injury the final week of the preseason.
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Tim Reynolds: Vlad Goldin is flying to Miami today and will be active for Heat-Hornets tomorrow with Bam Adebayo (toe sprain) sidelined. Also available tomorrow: rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, the first-round pick who could make his debut.
Anthony Chiang: Heat lists Vlad Goldin (G League), Tyler Herro (ankle surgery), Kasparas Jakucionis (groin strain) and Terry Rozier (not with team) as out for tomorrow’s game vs. Lakers in LA. Norman Powell is questionable after missing the last two games with a groin strain.
While Heat guards Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery) and Kasparas Jakucionis (right groin strain) remain out for Thursday night’s matchup against the Spurs in San Antonio, they both traveled with the team for the start of the trip that continues in Los Angeles with games against the Lakers on Sunday and Clippers on Monday before coming to an end on Wednesday against the Nuggets in Denver. “It’s good for them,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said ahead of Thursday’s game in San Antonio when asked about Herro and Jakucionis joining the team on the road. “For us, sure, it’s always good to have them around. But I think it just speeds up the whole process when they’re around the guys, around the game, around the whole travel routine, and participating in some of the things that they can do, which they did this morning.”
