By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After landing in Tel Aviv on Sunday, Rokas Jokubaitis discussed joining Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Sarunas Jasikevicius also moving from FC Barcelona to the Yellows in 2003.
“It is interesting,” he referred to being compared with Saras, “I hope I can at least repeat some of what he did here.”
After winning his first EuroLeague championship with Barca in 2003, his former boss at Barca and Zalgiris, and fellow Lithuanian captured back-to-back titles with Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv in 2004 and 2005.
“It means a lot for me to be here,” said Jokubaitis, “There is a lot of weight on my shoulders. I have trust in the coaches. I am waiting to meet the fans.”
Jokubaitis, 23, is already a veteran of 165 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague between Barcelona and Zalgiris over the last six years. Also, in 2021 he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 34th pick before his NBA rights were traded to the New York Knicks. Revisiting NBA options this offseason, he joined the Knicks in the 2024 NBA 2K25 Summer League, averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 assists per contest.
“It is the time to make that step. I took the challenge. I can not wait to start with the team,” he described his decision to sign with Maccabi.
“This club always has big expectations from the players to be at their best,” he focused on the next season, “My goals are the highest.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net