Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra Praises Kasparas Jakucionis' Mental Toughness

Former Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis may be struggling on the offensive end, but Miami is encouraged by his ability to influence the game in other ways.

Apr 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts in the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

Whether during his college days at Illinois, or his early summer league outings in San Francisco and Las Vegas, Kasparas Jakucionis has certainly had his ups and downs – and more of the latter in his short professional career with the Miami Heat. 

Aside from a stellar 24-point showing last Friday against the Atlanta Hawks, the former Illini guard has struggled immensely in the two categories he’s most often praised for: scoring and passing. In his four outings, not counting that game against the Hawks, Jakucionis has shot a combined 3-for-22 from the field and dished out eight assists (while turning the rock over 15 times).

Still, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is encouraged by Jakucionis’ ability to battle through his offensive struggles – and impressed by how the Lithuanian native is making an impact elsewhere.

“We were all encouraged just by the mental makeup that he had and what he showed,” said Spoelstra on the ESPN broadcast in the second half of that Friday night contest against the Hawks. 

“Look, it was uneven offensively, there’s no doubt about it. He had a lot of turnovers, some mistakes. But all the intangibles, the defense, the hustle plays, the passing, all of that, he was able to do while having some uneven offensive play. Sometimes that can take a spirit or confidence away from a player, (yet) he still found a way to impact the game, impact winning, and that’s what our scouts really liked about him as a young player,” said the two-time NBA Champion head coach. 

LOVE THIS

Erik Spoelstra on how he loved the way Kasparas Jakučionis played in his opening Summer League game despite struggling on offense

“We were encouraged bc of his mental make up, he still did the intangible stuff despite his uneven offense”

pic.twitter.com/nIHB7I0p1r

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) July 15, 2025

If Jakucionis is able to match his offensive output with the intangibles Spoelstra pointed out (defense, hustle plays, etc.), then the recently-turned 19-year old appears likely to carve out a long NBA career. 

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