Rokas Jokubaitis opens up on Jasikevicius and Mirotic leaving Barcelona / News - Basketnews.com

Rokas Jokubaitis expressed his thoughts and feelings about Barcelona parting ways with Sarunas Jasikevicius and Nikola Mirotic.

Credit: Luca Sgamellotti/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Luca Sgamellotti/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Rokas Jokubaitis has joined Lithuania's training camp since the first day it started. The 22-year-old point guard, who recently confirmed to BasketNews that FC Barcelona decided to exercise the opt-in clause on his 4-year (1+1+1+1) deal, won the Spanish Liga Endesa for the first time in his tenure with Barca last year.

Nikola Mirotic

Position:PFAge:32Height:208 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Podgorica, MontenegroProfileNewsStatistics

Jokubaitis is coming to the camp of the Lithuanian national team for the fourth summer in a row. He averaged 26 minutes at the EuroBasket last year and recorded 9.2 points and 4 assists, does not hide that he feels more confident now that he has arrived at the Lithuanian national team camp.

"This year is a little easier," Jokubaitis told BasketNews' Jonas Leksas.

"I was looking forward to joining the national team much more this year than last year, I don't know why. A good team has been assembled, I already know the coaching staff well, we spent two summers with (Jonas) Valanciunas and we understand each other," he continued.

"I can't say that I'm a veteran of the national team, but it's not the first summer and I definitely don't feel like a newcomer anymore. We all came here with one goal and that's the most fun."

The 2022 EuroLeague Rising Star is set to help Lithuania make a splash in the Philippines, where the FIBA World Cup will take place.

Jokubaitis all 39 games in the EuroLeague during the 2022-23 season and averaged 5.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for 6.6 PIR. Barcelona somewhat managed to redeem themselves for coming up short in the EuroLeague Final Four by winning the ACB finals against Real Madrid with a sweep (3-0).

That feat didn't prevent the club's management from making some important changes. First and foremost, coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, the man who had brought Jokubaitis to Barcelona, left the club after three seasons.

Jokubaitis admitted that "it's hard to say" whether he had second thoughts following the coach's departure.

"Of course, many question marks appeared. In general, not only Jasikevicius, but no Lithuanian will remain at Barca whatsoever -- just me," he pointed out.

Jokubaitis also conceded that the feeling will be different in the coming season.

"We can see how the team is assembled, it is not yet clear who will leave and who will arrive, but there are many changes. It will be interesting, another challenge, just like with (Martin) Schiller in Kaunas," he commented.

Credit REUTERS/Marko Djurica

The point guard was also asked about Nikola Mirotic's departure from Barca. The two seemed to be pretty close, with the Montenegrin forward serving as the Lithuanian's mentor in the two seasons they got to spend together.

"Oh, we have a very good connection," Jokubaitis said. "Basketball players will understand, we were shooting partners for two years," he smiled.

"I used to watch the same moves in practice, and then he would replicate them in the games. I think he is one of the most talented players I’ve ever had the chance to play with. He taught me a lot," the Lithuanian international argued.

Jokubaitis called Mirotic "a very devoted person, who gives a lot to churches and hospitals."

"He has a good heart, and there's always something to talk about with him. No matter what status you have on the team, he always asks how you're doing," he said of his former teammate.

The Barcelona player thinks the separation was "truly sad" and added that "it looks bitter," even though he doesn't know the details of the case.

"A player who has given so much to the team, yet they can’t agree on something..." he reflected. "It’s sad, really sad."

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.