Kasparas Jakucionis, a second-year guard for the Miami Heat, has been called up to the Lithuanian national team for the July window of European World Cup qualifying. Lithuania will play Great Britain on July 2 and Italy on July 5. The call-up overlaps with the Heat’s summer-league schedule, including three California Classic games in San Francisco from July 3 to July 6. Jakucionis previously represented Lithuania in 2024 at the U18 EuroBasket, averaging 19.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.6% overall and 31.9% from three. In his rookie Heat season, he averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists with strong defensive and shooting contributions.
"Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been called up to the Lithuanian national team for July's window of European World Cup qualifying. It is a window that comes during the early stages of the Heat's summer-league schedule, July 2 and July 5, but in time to get to Vegas...- Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 20, 2026"
"As Winderman points out, these two games do conflict with the Heat's Summer League schedule. They will have three California Classic games in San Francisco, Calif., from July 3-6. But representing your home country in World Cup qualifying should be the foremost priority 11 out of 10 times."
"The last time that Jakucionis represented Lithuania was in 2024 for the U18 EuroBasket 2024. In seven games, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 19.4 points 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 46.6 percent from the floor, 31.9 percent from 3-point range and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line."
"In his rookie season with the Heat, their No. 20 overall selection averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 42.9/42.3/87.9 shooting splits. He was one of their better point-of-attack defenders, spot-up shooters and connectors. This will be invaluable experience for him, no matter how many in-game reps he receives."
Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog
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