By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Rokas Jokubaitis completed the 2024-25 EuroLeague season with the most prolific individual run of his career so far.
In his debut season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jokubaitis averaged career-highs 12.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 24:27 minutes. The Yellows, who made several changes on their roster last summer and once again played their home games in Belgrade instead of Israel, didn’t manage to advance to the Play-In, finishing at 11-23.
“As a team result it wasn’t the best for Maccabi. With the situation we’re in, people need to understand was tough, mentally and physically.” Jokubaitis told Eurohoops. “Individually, I think it was the best season of my life. Finally I felt that I’m enjoying basketball again and I think that’s the most important thing. Basketball is a team sport but sometimes you need to feel good about yourself. I think with this process we can be even better and better.”
“Everything went… a little bit not as I wanted during the last season and the last months,” Jokubaitis explained on his previous season with Barcelona. “I understand that the club needed better results and didn’t see me on the rotation. I spent an amazing time at Barcelona that helped me a lot to be the player I am right now. Maccabi was the next step and a new story. I’m happy with the decision I made.”
Jokubaitis’ NBA rights are still owned by the New Yorks. The 24-year-old Lithuanian guard joined the team in the 2023 and 2024 NBA Summer League but he doesn’t plan to play in the tournament again.
“No,” Jokubaitis answered when asked if he’ll participate in the 2025 NBA Summer League. “I went to the Summer League two times and I showed myself last summer. At least I think I showed myself ‘not bad’ to the people there. Now, it’s on them. Now, I’m doing my bad, trying to improve I can play there [in the NBA].
“You’re trying to keep winning with your team, help your team win. In the future, if they call you from the NBA, who wouldn’t like it?,” Jokubaitis added. “I’m in Europe and enjoying basketball here but in the future, you don’t know.”