The Miami Heat selected Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Kasparas Jakucionis was highly regarded as a lottery pick, but his stock drastically fell during the season with Illinois.
However, the Miami Heat were considered lucky to find Jakucionis still on the board when it was their turn to make their pick.
Jakucionis has incredibly high upside and could end up being a draft day steal for the Heat when it’s all said and done.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesErik Spoelstra says Kasparas Jakucionis has a ‘natural connection’ with Kel’el Ware
Jakucionis is a tremendously gifted passer and has great court vision.
In 25 minutes from off the bench in the Heat’s latest preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, Jakucionis had 8 points to go along with 10 assists.
His playmaking and elite passing were on full display. Also, his seamless connection with big man Kel’el Ware was evident. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra talked about this.
“He’s courageous enough to make the play. He has the vision, he’s willing enough to try to make it.
“Sometimes he makes the easy play, that’s what receivers like to get, just an early ball where they can go and make the play. He did that several times.
“I think he did a lot of things to get the 10 assists, you could see the natural connection between him and Kel’el.
“They’ve played together some, but it’s more a product of Kel’el has great hands, he’s a vertical threat, Kas sees it, and he can deliver it. But he can also deliver the pocket pass, set you up and let the big do the rest of the work.
“That’s a good quality and if you have a synergy between a couple of guys, that’s a good thing, particularly young guys.”
Kel’el Ware dominated against the San Antonio Spurs
Ware also made the most out of his minutes from off the bench against the Spurs.
Ware led all scorers with 29 points to go along with 12 rebounds in 26 minutes of action.
Spoelstra called out Ware going into this game and wanted to see him impact winning. Well, Ware made the type of impact plays that will help him become a star.
This was on full display during a sequence when Ware hit a contested three-pointer over Victor Wembanyama, blocked Wembanyama on the other end, before hitting another three.