NEW ORLEANS — With virtually every rookie, there is that light-bulb moment, not only when he shines but when the glow is cast to a degree that it becomes difficult going forward to look away.

For Kel’el Ware, it was a 25-point night at midseason last season against the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembbanyama. No matter what transpired thereafter for the 7-footer, the focus would remain constant on the Miami Heat No. 15 pick in the 2025 draft.

This time around, the “whoa” moment for a Heat first-round pick arguably arrived over the just-completed back-to-back set against the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, when No. 20 2025 pick Kasparas Jakucionis made nine consecutive 3-pointers and converted six in each game.

It wasn’t just the shooting by the 19-year-old Lithuanian that drew the focus, but the confidence to play beyond his neophyte stature.

At a time of season when so much of the outside noise has been a debate between the lottery and yet another Heat visit to the play-in round, it is hard to overlook lottery-level contributions from the middle of the draft.

“He really competes,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of Jakucionis. “It’s really just because of how hard he plays. There’s a purity to that.

“Offensively, he’s a guy that has a big upside. He can really shoot the ball. But he also, as a playmaker, can make plays.”

Because of that, Spoelstra has adjusted his rotation, at times playing Jakucionis ahead of the proven steadiness of Dru Smith.

“We’re just trying to maximize everything we can throughout this rotation, get some more consistent play,” Spoelstra said.

Because of Jakucionis’  youth, there hasn’t been the push-pull for playing time as there has for Ware. Whatever is given by Spoelstra is seized by Jakucionis.

“I just try to stay ready,” he said, “Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to embrace it and try to stay ready whenever I can.”

What has made the shooting success so significant is that it allows Jakucionis to also play off the ball, whether it is Jaime Jaquez Jr. as the primary attacker in the second unit or Spoelstra cycling through a rotation that can have Jakucionis alongside Smith or starting point guard Davion Mitchell.

“We have a lot of players who can handle the ball,” Jakucionis said. “So sometimes one brings the ball, sometimes another, and it’s good to have that variety.”

Amid the Heat’s uneven play, it has meant uneven minutes for many on the fringe of the rotation, including Jakucionis. That had him last Friday held out of action in the road loss to the Boston Celtics by “coach’s decision” for the first time since Jan. 13.

But even when the minutes have been down, teammates see the hunger from a player many had projected to be a lottery selection when he left Illinois last spring.

“I love Kas, man,” said guard Norman Powell, who did not make the trip for Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the same back ailment that kept him out Monday against the Jazz. “He’s such a hard worker. I mean, he’s doing two, three workouts before shootarounds and before practice. I think the sky is the limit for him, just his approach, his mentality.

“He’s very mature for his age. He’s very focused and very locked in. I think it shows. He’s been put into the starting lineup when guys have been hurt. He’s been able to play and showcase his ability and why this organization loves him so much. I’m really excited for him.”

The typical inclination is to shield young players, particularly teens, from savvier veterans. That hasn’t been the case for Spoelstra with Jakucionis.

“He always has that fearless mentality,” Powell said of the rookie. “No matter who he’s going up against, he’s going to pressure, he’s going to play his game, and he’s going to attack.

“I always tell him when he’s out there, make mistakes being aggressive. That’s what was told to me when I was at his age, to go out there and play free, aggressive, and good basketball. He has high IQ, so it’s no surprise to me.”

So the Jakucionis moment of truth has arrived?

“He’s been amazing,” Heat forward Andrew Wiggins said. “Both sides of the floor — picking up full court, hitting big shots.”