![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MIA_34_Heat_Exit_Interviews_MJO.JPG\" "\\"Miami")
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Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) participates in his team\u2019s season-ending exit interviews at Kaseya Center on April 16, 2026, in Miami.<\/p>\n
Photo by Matias J. Ocner<\/p>\n
mocner@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
As the Miami Heat\u2019s talent evaluators work at this week\u2019s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, it\u2019s a reminder of the hours they put in last year to add a fresh-faced teenager to the roster.<\/p>\n
That teenager is 19-year-old guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who the Heat selected with the 20th overall pick in last year\u2019s NBA Draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cKas surprised all of us,\u201d Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after Jakucionis\u2019 rookie season. \u201cHe\u2019s very mature for his years, but he\u2019s a diligent worker. He is the nicest guy off the court, but he is an animal on the court. He\u2019s not trying to make any friends in this league. That\u2019s where he\u2019s Goran [Dragic]-esque. The contrast on the court between the lines and his personality off the court, I love that about him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jakucionis played in 53 games and made 12 starts during his first NBA regular season. The only player in franchise history who played in more regular-season games with the Heat as a teenager is Justise Winslow, who played in 69 games as a 19-year-old in his rookie season in 2015-16.<\/p>\n
Jakucionis closed the regular season with appearances in 52 of the Heat\u2019s final 56 regular-season games. He logged double-digit minutes in 45 of those 52 appearances.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been fun,\u201d said Jakucionis, who turns 20 on May 29. \u201cIt was a lot of learning, and that\u2019s what I wanted to do. Learn as much as possible, and still keep learning now, keep growing. Try to listen as much as possible to the coaches, the players, and just try to take it all in. And yeah, just learning and growing. I think that was the key, and that is the key for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis (25) reacts after scoring against the Orlando Magic in the first half of their NBA game at Kaseya Center on March 14, 2026, in Miami. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
Jakucionis (6-foot-5 and 200 pounds) ended his first NBA regular season averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 42.9% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. The Heat outscored teams by three points per 100 possessions when he was on the court this regular season.<\/p>\n
Jakucionis\u2019 NBA playing time came after he began his rookie season out of the Heat\u2019s rotation, as he logged only 53.7 seconds in the NBA through the Heat\u2019s first 26 games of the season. Instead, Jakucionis spent the first part of his rookie season in the G League with the Heat\u2019s developmental affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.<\/p>\n
But Jakucionis went on to crack the Heat\u2019s rotation in December by impressing coaches with his energy, playmaking skills and ability to hold up on defense. He also turned into one of the Heat\u2019s top outside shooters.<\/p>\n
While at lower volume than some of the Heat\u2019s other top shooters, Jakucionis closed his first NBA regular season with a team-best three-point shooting percentage of 42.3% (66 of 156). Among the 242 NBA players who attempted more than 150 threes this regular season, Jakucionis finished with the 10th-best three-point percentage.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, just work that I put in this summer,\u201d Jakucionis said when asked what led to his efficient three-point shooting in his first NBA season. \u201cThere was a lot of focus on that, on shooting. So I just worked on that. And then little by little, I probably gained more confidence and started feeling better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Jakucionis was a high-usage guard at the college level, he was asked to play in more of an off-ball role as an NBA rookie. That forced him to develop other areas of his game, becoming a better spot-up three-point shooter and cutter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m pretty adaptable on the court,\u201d Jakucionis said. \u201cI can try to implement other things. But yeah, it was a little bit of a tough adjustment for sure to play a different kind of basketball. But like I said, I try to do the best I can in any situation, and just work on the things I need to work on, especially this summer, and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are the things Jakucionis plans to work on during his first full NBA offseason, which could include another summer league appearance?<\/p>\n
\u201cJust get stronger in the weight room,\u201d said Jakucionis, who shot just 28 of 51 (54.9%) from within the restricted area during his rookie season. \u201cAnd then on the ball and off the ball, just work on my handles, try to get tight on my handles, get into the paint with two feet, try to make the right read from there. Get some more paint touches, for sure. And off the ball, it\u2019s just about spacing, shooting, and running basically.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Heat hoping to make a big move to upgrade its roster this offseason \u2014 like potentially trading for Milwaukee Bucks two-time NBA MVP and nine-time All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo \u2014 Jakucionis and the other young players on Miami\u2019s roster are in danger of being dealt.<\/p>\n
But if Jakucionis is back, he plans to pick up where he left off and continue impressing the Heat next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever the coach needs from me, I\u2019ll do it,\u201d Jakucionis said. \u201cWhatever situation I\u2019m put in, I\u2019ll do my best in that, and I\u2019ll just give 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n
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