Nikola Jovic admitted that he was “shocked” when the Miami Warmth drafted Kasparas Jakucionis within the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Miami Warmth drafted Kasparas Jakucionis, a combo guard out of Illinois, quantity 20 within the first spherical of the NBA Draft. The Lithuanian joins the workforce as one other European expertise in Miami, which incorporates Serbia’s Nikola Jovic, one in all three Miami Warmth gamers suiting up for EuroBasket 2025.
Jovic is likely one of the rising younger stars within the NBA, and he is aware of Kasparas Jakucionis from his time in school. He admitted that he was shocked that the Warmth drafted Jakucionis.
Jovic adopted Jakucionis by school final season, the place he averaged 15 factors per recreation. He mentioned he was shocked that he fell all the way in which to quantity 20, and presumed he could be a top-10 choose.
He instructed BasketNews, “I do know lots about his recreation. I adopted him in school as a result of he performed with my actually good pal Tomislav Ivisic, and that’s why I watched his recreation.
“I used to be actually shocked after we drafted him as a result of I actually thought he was going to be like a Prime 10 choose. However it’s for certain choose for us. He’s an incredible participant. I haven’t actually talked to him, however I can’t wait to see him play. And I’m certain he’ll be an incredible piece for us.”
That’s welcome information to Warmth followers, since Jakucionis had a tricky time in Summer season League. He averaged 4 factors by his first three video games, an alarming signal from who many referred to as the steal of the 2025 NBA Draft.
He did have a 24-point recreation towards the Atlanta Hawks and 16 towards the Detroit Pistons throughout his closing few video games, and he’ll hope to take confidence from these video games into his rookie season with the Warmth.
Jovic commented on Jakucionis’ Summer season League exhibiting, including, “It’s apparent he struggled a bit bit in the summertime in the beginning. However I did the identical factor, I actually struggled in the beginning. However I do know he’ll be participant.”
The Warmth aren’t trying to rely upon Jakucionis this season. They’ll simply need to see their rookie develop all year long. However after the lack of Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, Jovic might want to step into an even bigger function alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Warmth Head Coach Eric Spoelstra has been inspired by Jovic’s play with Serbia, and mentioned he returns to Miami extra mature after worldwide journeys. Jovic has been studying from Nikola Jokic with Serbia, enjoying on one of many powerhouses of worldwide basketball.
Jovic outperformed Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic when Serbia beat Slovenia within the build-up to EuroBasket. He posted 18 factors with Spoelstra watching on, outscoring the Los Angeles Lakers star and his three-time MVP teammate.
It’s been a promising summer time for the younger Serbian. He’s anticipated to guide his nation to the EuroBasket title, and a championship-winning expertise can solely be a constructive for his improvement.
The East is there for the taking this season, and if Jovic can proceed his quick ascent into stardom, the Warmth have each likelihood to make a 3rd look within the NBA Finals in six seasons.
