The first-ever basketball camp attracted more than 80 of the country’s most talented young basketball players, and its main star was NBA talent Kasparas Jakučionis.
The basketball player, sharing advice with the children, said he enjoyed working with the youngsters and answering their questions.
It was clear that the 20-year-old himself showed the campers several basketball exercises, all accompanied by a smile.
- Famous coaches from the Bucks organization, the University of Illinois (NCAA), and the Barcelona system participated in the “Make a Play” camp;
- Training guests included Marekas Blaževičius, Kasparas Jakučionis, Gytis Radzevičius, Mindaugas Kuzminskas.
- Former Žalgiris assistant coach Andrew Antelidze, basketball expert Augustas Šuliauskas, and others took part in the training sessions.
“The main reason was that we wanted to organize such a camp because I myself did not have such conditions when coaches come from abroad, universities, NBA. We wanted to create an exclusive camp. We will expand and improve it. We do not have a long-term vision yet, but we will improve it year by year,” said K. Jakučionis.
However, it was not only children working here but also the Lithuanian men’s national team player himself. He trained together with the new team’s Bucks personal player development assistant coach J. Herum.
The 20-year-old Lithuanian, performing various tasks, left a very positive impression on the Milwaukee club representative.
“He is a true hard worker. He has a high basketball IQ, can attack the basket well, and defend well. Kasparas plays with such seriousness on the court, which cannot be taught,” praised the Lithuanian one of the Bucks coaches.
– Kasparas, of course, is friendly, communicates with the campers, staff, and me, but when it comes to training, he switches. All players need to be like that, to switch when stepping onto the court. That’s how he is. Kasparas has a great career ahead of him.”
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J. Herum himself, observed by journalists, worked with the Lithuanian on improving shooting and driving. Kasparas Jakučionis, making shot after shot accurately, left an indelible impression on the campers and received applause.
Kasparas has a great career ahead of him
However, J. Herum closely observed everything and pointed out what K. Jakučionis still needs to improve.
“He needs to grow with basketball, learn the new system. We have similarities, but we are a different organization. He needs to grow in our system; we have many new players,” said the Bucks representative.
– Taylor Jenkins is a great coach; he will help Kasparas grow. The coach closely monitors the Lithuanian’s development. The coaching staff is excellent.”
At the end of the conversation, J. Herum even found parallels between Milwaukee and Vilnius.
“Vilnius is a wonderful city. I am from Wisconsin, the northern part of Milwaukee. There are many similarities here – lots of greenery, trees. Everything will be fine for Kasparas. It’s a wonderful city,” promised the coach.
Traded from Miami Heat to the Bucks, K. Jakučionis will sweat in the new team’s preseason camp in August.
In his debut NBA season, he played 53 games (starting 12 in the starting five) and averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 18 minutes per game.
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