A more in depth interview with Jakucionis just dropped on the biggest Lithuanian basketball website after their two journalist visited him and interview him right after the loss to USC.
Q: We didn't see you at the game today, so what happened to your arm and how serious can it be?
So, it's nothing too serious. It seems like a tendon inflammation in the left arm, but really nothing serious. The arm didn't feel very good so I didn't want to risk it. Definitely planning to play in the next game.
Q: What surprised us is that you were standing all game long.
It's not easy for me to sit on the bench and see how the team plays without me, I feel like when I'm on my feet I get into the game more, together with the coach, chat with the staff about different situations and I think it's a good way to learn to understand the basketball better.
Q: Were you always this vocal before coming to Illinois? We're seeing you always talk with teammates, encourage them. Where did you learn this?
I think it was at Barcelona where I started to let out my emotions more, talk with the coaches and the players because I saw that the more questions you ask the coaches or people in general who know a lot about life, the more you grow. As for motivating the teammates I think it's always a good thing, to give them advice and take advice from them as well. I think I just grow more like this.
Q: What did you learn from the coach Brad Underwood, this is after all Thomas Walkup's coach, and they seemed to have an interesting history. And you also have some similarities, can you tell it from your point of view?
I really like the coach. He always has a great plan prepared, and he's very nice person. He's really strict during the training / workouts. He knows how to transfer the energy to his players, and he's a real leader who always makes players believe that if you follow him you will get guided to victories. He is extremely motivated to win and basketball is very important to him - a real basketball maniac, never stops watching the tape. After this lost game to USC, he will not sleep for three days straight and will keep re-watching the games, and we know those upcoming practices won't be easy (smirks) after this defeat.
Q: For multiple months now, you're living this so called American Dream - a great college campus, everything is built around the University, games are played in a 15,000 capacity arena, fantastic fan support. How did it go for you trying to adapt to all this, and what do you like the most living in this town?
Adapting wasn't very hard. After a similar adaptation in Barcelona where I was alone for 3 years as a teenager, this was already easier. But what I like most are the fans. The entire city lives with basketball, wherever you go you can see a sea of orange with a letter "I". They come and chat with me, as for a picture. I think that's what I find the coolest. Getting attention from the fans.
Q: I won't lie. After coming here, there really can't be any questions why you chose NCAA, instead of staying in Europe. What myths/stereotypes did you personally have about NCAA basketball before coming here? And which of them were proven wrong after you came here?
There a lot of myths (smiles). I really didn't think it would be this nice. I didn't make any visit before deciding to come here. I took a little bit of a risk, because usually the players come here for a visit to see the facilities, conditions etc. But for me they showed everything through facetime (smiles), but I trusted the coaches and the conditions here are great for a basketball players - anything you could imagine from simply putting some shots up 24/7 to watching game tape, getting advice. You just need to show the initiative and it will determine how you get better.
Q: Not only a different environment, but also different basketball rules - 2 halves instead of 4 quarters, 30 second shot clock etc. What was the thing that was the most difficult to get used to in the first few months?
Personally, I don't feel a huge difference whether its 2 halves or 4 quarters... I haven't really watched any NCAA basketball prior to arriving here, so that 1+1 free throw is probably the strangest one to me. But when you think about it, I think it's a pretty logical rule.
Q: The game also seems quicker, less possessions, less stoppage, less free-throws.
Yeah I think the game is pretty quick, especially for us, our team wants to play fast. The officiating is a little different than in Europe at junior level, less fouls getting called, they let you play more through contact, I kind of like this, you can run more in transition and defend more aggressively.
Q: What do you think yourself about this American experience, what do you like most of this experience (whether the basketball, or the culture or anything else)?
I think the fact that every game here is of utmost importance, and really difficult. We just played against a top100 team. Maybe not something special on the surface, but as you can see almost every team can create an upset, and that's probably the most interesting thing. Also when you go on a road game, and there's 15,000-18,000 of opposing fans rooting against you and screaming in your face - I love it. Basketball is interesting because of the fans.
Q: There is a little of a Euroleague vibe here with every game mattering a lot, and a bunch of fans coming over to cheer. We just came here after witnessing a Chicago Bulls home game, and this is so much better of an experience in comparison to be in such a great atmosphere. What do you think of these paralels with European fan culture?
Yeah, the fans are fantastic, and you must remember it's now a student holiday so there wasn't even a student section which accounts for a big part of the atmosphere and the energy at home games. So the atmosphere is really special. The playstyle is probably not very similar to the Euroleague, but the fan culture is very similar.
Q: You say you lost to the top100 team, but your team didn't have one of their top guys. Where did you think made the biggest difference in your game compared to how you were let's say in Barcelona.
I think I'm making quicker decisions now, because everyone here is quicker, more athletic, so you try to make the decisions quicker, be smarter when you aren't the most athletic one out there, like me (smiles). So I just try to be smarter. Stopping with two feet I think improved my game and the control, and to be a leader try to guide others, motivate them.
Q: Both us, and a lot of people in Lithuania, probably view those highlights of yours, and the thing that is most rememberable are those highlight passes. Lithuanian basketball schools don't teach that (laughs). Is it a Spanish thing? Or American?
(Laughs) I think nobody teaches that, because everyone says the simpler the better, but for me as I said the basketball is more beautiful because of the fans, and I don't like playing simple, I want to give fans something nicer to look at (smiles). It's why I play basketball
Q: Those fancy passes were often made by another #32 - Magic Johnson. Is your choice of the number in any way related to that? Or is there another story?
No... (smiles) Completely unrelated. The number simply looked nice as I was younger. No reason really.
Q: One of the places where it seems you made a big improvement is shooting after a dribbble (threes as well). How much emphasis do you put on that? Since it seems like to be a succesful guard in today's NBA it seems like a pretty important thing.
Yeah, so, I was shooting a lot after a dribble in Barcelona too. I feel like I even have a better feel of the ball when I shoot it after a dribble. It's also a bit more interesting than simply catch-and-shooting (smirks). I think this was a thing that I mostly added in Barcelona, but trying to perfect it here.
Q: In addition to playing in the NCAA, helping your team and improving as a player, you also project yourself as an NBA player. What type of advice do you get from your environment, from the coaching staff to become that perfect version of yourself to enter the NBA?
Well, I'm more concentrating on this season, the college basketball, and that's what we're focusing now with the coaches. Improving everything that will help our college team will also help in the NBA.
Q: Looking at your game, Lithuanian National team coaches talk that it would be interesting to see you preparing for the EuroBasket together with other best Lithuanian players. How realistic do you think that is knowing all the Draft situation, what happens after the draft etc?
To tell you the truth, I didn't really think about it and I don't plan on thinking about it until that moment. The only focus now is on my college season, we still have many games, many important games, and we hope for the best results.
Q: When you're here in Champaign, aside from playing in the NCAA, do you let yourself do something else during your free time? Some extracuricular activities?
This will sound very boring, but no. I'm most often in the gym, almost the whole day. I go to classes, then I come back to the gym. And then I drive home to sleep (smiles). It sounds very boring, but I think for me this routine helps and I'm happy.
Q: How are your classes? Aren't your studies negatively affected by staying in the gym whole day? (laugh)
(Smiles) No, it was a surprise for me too, but I'm doing quite well in my studies. I have one of the higher scores on the team (smiles). I'll try keeping it up, because I take studies seriously, it's important for me and my family, and I'm trying my best.
Q: One more NBA question - did or do you have a favourite team or players?
As I was younger, I really liked LeBron, after that Luka Doncic. I think these two were dearest to me.
Q: We didn't see you at the game today, so what happened to your arm and how serious can it be?
So, it's nothing too serious. It seems like a tendon inflammation in the left arm, but really nothing serious. The arm didn't feel very good so I didn't want to risk it. Definitely planning to play in the next game.
Q: What surprised us is that you were standing all game long.
It's not easy for me to sit on the bench and see how the team plays without me, I feel like when I'm on my feet I get into the game more, together with the coach, chat with the staff about different situations and I think it's a good way to learn to understand the basketball better.
Q: Were you always this vocal before coming to Illinois? We're seeing you always talk with teammates, encourage them. Where did you learn this?
I think it was at Barcelona where I started to let out my emotions more, talk with the coaches and the players because I saw that the more questions you ask the coaches or people in general who know a lot about life, the more you grow. As for motivating the teammates I think it's always a good thing, to give them advice and take advice from them as well. I think I just grow more like this.
Q: What did you learn from the coach Brad Underwood, this is after all Thomas Walkup's coach, and they seemed to have an interesting history. And you also have some similarities, can you tell it from your point of view?
I really like the coach. He always has a great plan prepared, and he's very nice person. He's really strict during the training / workouts. He knows how to transfer the energy to his players, and he's a real leader who always makes players believe that if you follow him you will get guided to victories. He is extremely motivated to win and basketball is very important to him - a real basketball maniac, never stops watching the tape. After this lost game to USC, he will not sleep for three days straight and will keep re-watching the games, and we know those upcoming practices won't be easy (smirks) after this defeat.
Q: For multiple months now, you're living this so called American Dream - a great college campus, everything is built around the University, games are played in a 15,000 capacity arena, fantastic fan support. How did it go for you trying to adapt to all this, and what do you like the most living in this town?
Adapting wasn't very hard. After a similar adaptation in Barcelona where I was alone for 3 years as a teenager, this was already easier. But what I like most are the fans. The entire city lives with basketball, wherever you go you can see a sea of orange with a letter "I". They come and chat with me, as for a picture. I think that's what I find the coolest. Getting attention from the fans.
Q: I won't lie. After coming here, there really can't be any questions why you chose NCAA, instead of staying in Europe. What myths/stereotypes did you personally have about NCAA basketball before coming here? And which of them were proven wrong after you came here?
There a lot of myths (smiles). I really didn't think it would be this nice. I didn't make any visit before deciding to come here. I took a little bit of a risk, because usually the players come here for a visit to see the facilities, conditions etc. But for me they showed everything through facetime (smiles), but I trusted the coaches and the conditions here are great for a basketball players - anything you could imagine from simply putting some shots up 24/7 to watching game tape, getting advice. You just need to show the initiative and it will determine how you get better.
Q: Not only a different environment, but also different basketball rules - 2 halves instead of 4 quarters, 30 second shot clock etc. What was the thing that was the most difficult to get used to in the first few months?
Personally, I don't feel a huge difference whether its 2 halves or 4 quarters... I haven't really watched any NCAA basketball prior to arriving here, so that 1+1 free throw is probably the strangest one to me. But when you think about it, I think it's a pretty logical rule.
Q: The game also seems quicker, less possessions, less stoppage, less free-throws.
Yeah I think the game is pretty quick, especially for us, our team wants to play fast. The officiating is a little different than in Europe at junior level, less fouls getting called, they let you play more through contact, I kind of like this, you can run more in transition and defend more aggressively.
Q: What do you think yourself about this American experience, what do you like most of this experience (whether the basketball, or the culture or anything else)?
I think the fact that every game here is of utmost importance, and really difficult. We just played against a top100 team. Maybe not something special on the surface, but as you can see almost every team can create an upset, and that's probably the most interesting thing. Also when you go on a road game, and there's 15,000-18,000 of opposing fans rooting against you and screaming in your face - I love it. Basketball is interesting because of the fans.
Q: There is a little of a Euroleague vibe here with every game mattering a lot, and a bunch of fans coming over to cheer. We just came here after witnessing a Chicago Bulls home game, and this is so much better of an experience in comparison to be in such a great atmosphere. What do you think of these paralels with European fan culture?
Yeah, the fans are fantastic, and you must remember it's now a student holiday so there wasn't even a student section which accounts for a big part of the atmosphere and the energy at home games. So the atmosphere is really special. The playstyle is probably not very similar to the Euroleague, but the fan culture is very similar.
Q: You say you lost to the top100 team, but your team didn't have one of their top guys. Where did you think made the biggest difference in your game compared to how you were let's say in Barcelona.
I think I'm making quicker decisions now, because everyone here is quicker, more athletic, so you try to make the decisions quicker, be smarter when you aren't the most athletic one out there, like me (smiles). So I just try to be smarter. Stopping with two feet I think improved my game and the control, and to be a leader try to guide others, motivate them.
Q: Both us, and a lot of people in Lithuania, probably view those highlights of yours, and the thing that is most rememberable are those highlight passes. Lithuanian basketball schools don't teach that (laughs). Is it a Spanish thing? Or American?
(Laughs) I think nobody teaches that, because everyone says the simpler the better, but for me as I said the basketball is more beautiful because of the fans, and I don't like playing simple, I want to give fans something nicer to look at (smiles). It's why I play basketball
Q: Those fancy passes were often made by another #32 - Magic Johnson. Is your choice of the number in any way related to that? Or is there another story?
No... (smiles) Completely unrelated. The number simply looked nice as I was younger. No reason really.
Q: One of the places where it seems you made a big improvement is shooting after a dribbble (threes as well). How much emphasis do you put on that? Since it seems like to be a succesful guard in today's NBA it seems like a pretty important thing.
Yeah, so, I was shooting a lot after a dribble in Barcelona too. I feel like I even have a better feel of the ball when I shoot it after a dribble. It's also a bit more interesting than simply catch-and-shooting (smirks). I think this was a thing that I mostly added in Barcelona, but trying to perfect it here.
Q: In addition to playing in the NCAA, helping your team and improving as a player, you also project yourself as an NBA player. What type of advice do you get from your environment, from the coaching staff to become that perfect version of yourself to enter the NBA?
Well, I'm more concentrating on this season, the college basketball, and that's what we're focusing now with the coaches. Improving everything that will help our college team will also help in the NBA.
Q: Looking at your game, Lithuanian National team coaches talk that it would be interesting to see you preparing for the EuroBasket together with other best Lithuanian players. How realistic do you think that is knowing all the Draft situation, what happens after the draft etc?
To tell you the truth, I didn't really think about it and I don't plan on thinking about it until that moment. The only focus now is on my college season, we still have many games, many important games, and we hope for the best results.
Q: When you're here in Champaign, aside from playing in the NCAA, do you let yourself do something else during your free time? Some extracuricular activities?
This will sound very boring, but no. I'm most often in the gym, almost the whole day. I go to classes, then I come back to the gym. And then I drive home to sleep (smiles). It sounds very boring, but I think for me this routine helps and I'm happy.
Q: How are your classes? Aren't your studies negatively affected by staying in the gym whole day? (laugh)
(Smiles) No, it was a surprise for me too, but I'm doing quite well in my studies. I have one of the higher scores on the team (smiles). I'll try keeping it up, because I take studies seriously, it's important for me and my family, and I'm trying my best.
Q: One more NBA question - did or do you have a favourite team or players?
As I was younger, I really liked LeBron, after that Luka Doncic. I think these two were dearest to me.
