Rokas Jokubaitis reflects on his career-best season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. Despite the team's struggles, Jokubaitis finds satisfaction in his personal growth and the enjoyment of the game.
Rokas Jokubaitis is coming off the most productive season of his career in the EuroLeague, but it's his thoughts on basketball and his journey that are making headlines.
Rokas Jokubaitis
| Team: |
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv |
| Position: | PG |
| Age: | 24 |
| Height: | 192 cm |
| Weight: | 88 kg |
| Birth place: | Mažeikiai, Lithuania |
On his individual season, Jokubaitis was able to focus on personal growth even though Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv faced challenges, including roster changes and playing their home games in Belgrade instead of Israel.
"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 shared to 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," he added.
Before joining Maccabi, Jokubaitis spent time with FC Barcelona, and although things didn’t work out the way he’d hoped, he remains grateful for his time there.
"Everything went... a little bit not as I wanted during the last season and the last months," he admitted. "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," the Lithuanian guard said.
Jokubaitis’ NBA rights are still held by the New York Knicks, and while he has participated in the NBA Summer League twice, he doesn’t plan on returning for the 2025 edition.
"No," Jokubaitis said when asked about participating in the NBA Summer League again. "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]."
Still, Jokubaitis isn’t closing the door on a future in the NBA. He remains focused on improving his game with Maccabi, but he knows that, if the opportunity arises, he’ll be ready.
"You’re trying to keep winning with your team, help your team win," Jokubaitis said. "In the future, if they call you from the NBA, who wouldn’t like it? I’m in Europe and enjoying basketball here, but in the future, you don’t know."
This season in the EuroLeague, the 24-year-old guard averaged 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1 steal per game.
