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Photo: Basketnews.lt/Dainius Lukšta
Photo Basketnews.lt/Dainius Lukšta
ESPN representative Mike Schmitz, who visited Lithuania just over a week ago, watched Kaunas player “Žalgiris” Rokas Jokubaitis’s match and now shares his accumulated impressions of Lithuania.
Following Schmitz on the Švyturys Arena grandstand, Jokubaitis put together a solid performance in a duel with the Klaipėda Neptūnas: in 26 minutes he scored 11 points, provided 5 assists and never made a mistake.
The basketball player’s hit in the game was 56 percent: 4 of 6 two-point shots (67 percent) and 1 of 3 3-pointers (33 percent).
Following in the footsteps of would-be NBA basketball players around the world, Schmitz highlighted Jokubaitis’s game-building skills, but emphasized the lack of a more stable pitch.
“Jokubaitis is left-handed combo Defender of the style, which does more damage to opponents in access to the penalty area, Schmitz writes about the young Žalgiris in his article. “Usually he ends his attacks with shots from close range or forays into the basket.”
“On the field he feels better with the ball in his left hand and excels with creative passing and is able to find a player who crosses the basket in various situations or cross passes to free teams to friends at the three-point line.
Throwing is an obvious Jokubaitis ability that needs to be improved. Jokubaitis seems to have improved in situations where he throws a pitch as soon as he catches the ball, but creates the best episodes with the ball in his hands, so hitting the dribble will be important in the future of his career – from afar Jokubaitis attacks 31 percent this season. precision, ”continued Schmitz.
The ESPN critic also praised the combativeness of the 20-year-old Žalgiris, emphasizing that he is an important part of the Lithuanian champions.
“Jokubaitis is characterized by fighting on defense and, in general, he plays with great enthusiasm. A long-time favorite of former NBA basketball player Šarūnas Jasikevičius, he is loved by the Lithuanian team and is in an ideal place where he can continue his development. His role in the Lithuanian national team should also grow, “said Schmitz.
Jokubaitis, communicating with Schmitz, also revealed that he was following the game of Goran Dragičius, who plays for the Miami Heat Club.
“There’s a guy from the NBA I’m looking at: Goran Dragicius,” Jokubaitis told Schmitz. “It’s a bit more difficult to watch all the (NBA) games in Lithuania, but if I get the chance, I’ll take a look.”
“I’m studying Dragičius’s game because I see a lot of similarities between us. He plays in the NBA, but he has a lot of European basketball skills. I think it’s better for me personally to watch Goran’s game than for other US defenders who haven’t played European basketball, ”added Žalgiris.
Schmitz also hinted in his article that Jokubaitis is unlikely to be selected in the first round of the NBA rookie trade.
“Jokubaitis’s game and current circumstances factors will bring him an early call in the second round at best. Jokubaitis could be fine. picenrole playing and able to bring energy to the field combo defense, “concluded Schmitz.
As a reminder, Jokubaitis was ranked 42nd on ESPN’s latest ranking of potential NBA rookies.
In this Euroleague season, Jokubaitis played 31 games, during which he recorded statistics of 7 points (39 percent trit.), 2.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 6.9 utility points.
In the LKL championship, the player accumulates 8.3 points (25 percent trit.), 3.9 assists, 1.5 grabs and 9.4 utility points.
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