A Lithuanian guard who spent one season in college leading a 22-win Illinois team in usage rate, points and assists, Jakucionis has an already-productive basketball career having played professionally from his mid-teens. He began his career with Perlas Vilnius in Lithuania playing in the NKL before several seasons with FC Barcelona — first with its junior and reserve teams and later with the first team.
About
Jakucionis is a one-and-done from the University of Illinois who was born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania.
He played professionally with Vilnius in Lithuania and with FC Barcelona and has experience playing on the FIBA circuit, too, where he helped his home country win the U16 European Championship.
Named to All-Big Ten Freshmen Team
Strengths
Smooth lead guard who effortlessly gets to his spots and plays to his size.
Crafty scorer who consistently finds ways to finish. Rated in the 78th percentile finishing at the rim as an 18-year-old college freshman at Illinois and was in the 82nd percentile finishing in isolation.
Pace and poise the key pieces of his game. What he lacks in athletic pop he makes up for with playmaking and finesse, and he shows great promise operating as a primary facilitator.
Weaknesses
Turnover-prone despite flashes of passing excellence. Had a 25.4% turnover rate to a 26.2% assist rate and finishes each of his final four college games – including two NCAA Tournament outings – with six turnovers.
Limited success as a shooter. Shot 31.8% on 3-pointers at Illinois and rated in the 47th percentile as a jump shooter.
Could be role-confined at NBA level. High turnover rate may force him to become a secondary playmaker asked to play off the ball and make shots. But struggles shooting the ball dictate he may be best play-making. He needs to dramatically improve one, or both, of his shooting and turnovers to consistently stick as a winner.
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