(Mandatory Credit: Noah Graham NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat capped off their NBA 2K26 Summer League last week with a thrilling 93-92 win — courtesy of Vlad Goldin’s game-winner — against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
None of the Heat’s integral pieces played. Goldin, who signed a two-way contract with the Heat, was the biggest, while others playing were fighting to make an NBA (or international) roster.
Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis reflected on his first Summer League with the organization over the weekend. While they only went 2-3 in Las Vegas, Nev., he spoke glowingly about the experience — showing that Summer League isn’t always about wins and losses.
“I think we learned a lot as a team,” Jakucionis said, according to the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. “Also for me individually, I think I learned a lot and just gaining experience every time is good. So I’m just trying to take it all in from coaches, from players who have been here. I’m just trying to listen and trying to take as much information as I can.
“Every experience helps you. As much experience as you have, the more comfortable you feel moving forward. I’m just so happy to have this opportunity.”
Miami drafted Kasparas Jakucionis No. 20 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was widely expected to go in the top-10 — or the lottery, at the latest — and fell to 20.
He had an up-and-down two-and-a-half weeks of Summer League, but closed it out strong in Las Vegas. Obviously, we’re dealing with a very small sample of games, but he averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals on 51.8 percent true shooting.
Jakucionis playmaking was further along than his assist numbers suggested; far too often, he made the right reads that didn’t result in made baskets. The turnovers were (occasionally) an issue — especially against ball pressure — but we saw the 6-foot-5 guard grow, which was important.
What we also saw is he impacted the game in multiple ways. He got to the free-throw line, he attacked the glass well, he defended at the point-of-attack well and was good off-ball and in the passing lanes.
What were your thoughts on Jakucionis’ Summer League? Let us know in the comments!
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