More on Rokas Jokubaitis to the NBA?
Rokas Jokubaitis: There are many bad examples, like Kevin Pangos, who dominated in the EuroLeague. It's the NBA where even the best European players don't fit in. Two years or so will pass, and I'll talk to my agent about going to the NBA. But before that, I'll have to feel 100 percent confident that at least I'll have a chance to fight for the minutes. For example, I come to the US, and they say that you will play in the G League, and sometimes you will be with the main team. Then it's better to improve in the EuroLeague.
There are players who openly say that they are EuroLeague athletes and don't see themselves in the NBA. How do you rate the playstyle across the Atlantic and your options there? Rokas Jokubaitis: Now it's hard to imagine me there. But I didn't imagine myself in Barcelona before the season or in Zalgiris a couple of years ago. I don't always dream too much, I look at it from a realistic point of view. At the moment, I can't imagine myself in the NBA because there's another world out there, but I'd really like to try to establish myself in there. https://basketnews.com/news-167545-rokas-jokubaitis-shares-his-nba-plans-invaluable-saras-and-calathes-lessons.html
While Jokubaitis’ star in Europe has been shining brighter and brighter (and right now it will be a shocker if he doesn’t win EuroLeague’s actual Rising Star award), the New York Knicks have been paying attention. And he has been watching them back as well. “Sometimes my Summer League coaches text me to see how I’m doing,” Jokubaitis said. “They reach out to my agent and my agents in the USA. I think few staff members from the Knicks are coming in February [to watch me]. I’ll be in better touch with them.” “[I’m watching their games] whenever I have a chance. The schedule doesn’t allow it all the time. I follow them and I know what’s happening. I keep in contact with a few players, rookies that I’ve played with in Summer League. I know what’s happening on the team.”
As Jonathan Givony of ESPN tweeted and multiple sources confirm, Rokas Jokubaitis will not withdraw his name from the NBA draft. As Givony explained: “Jokubaitis is available to come to the NBA immediately, paying a buyout to Zalgiris, but if a team elects to stash him, he will play for his old coach Sarunas Jasikevicius in Barcelona next season”.
Donatas Urbonas: LKL Rising Star trophy winner Rokas Jokubaitis is among the players who declared for the NBA draft, sources confirmed. NBA Draft predictions for Rokas Jokubaitis: ESPN: 43rd, The Athletic: 34th, The Ringer: 30th
