Rokas Jokubaitis

Jokubaitis was born in Mažeikiai, Lithuania. He grew up playing youth basketball at the Vladas Knašius Basketball School in Klaipėda before moving to the youth academy of Žalgiris.{{cite web |last1=Bendikas |first1=Martynas |title=Rokas Jokubaitis – autoritetų nepaisantis "gerietis", prie iššūkių pratintas nuo vaikystės |url=https://www.delfi.lt/krepsinis/krepsinio-vaikai/rokas-jokubaitis-autoritetu-nepaisantis-gerietis-prie-issukiu-pratintas-nuo-vaikystes.d?id=85526537 |website=Delfi |access-date=23 July 2021 |language=Lithuanian |date=20 October 2020}} Jokubaitis was named to the all-tournament team at the 2018 Kaunas Tournament after averaging 15 points and 8.3 assists per game and leading Žalgiris to a third-place finish.{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=David |title=MVP Sirvydis of Rytas headlines All-Tournament team |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/u18/news/latest/i/8hgne33a97jtvesj/mvp-sirvydis-of-rytas-headlines-all-tournament-team |publisher=Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=21 January 2018}}

On 9 January 2018, Jokubaitis scored a game-high 31 points for Žalgiris-2 in a highly publicized exhibition game against LaMelo Ball and Prienai.{{cite web |title=The real big baller: Can Rokas Jokubaitis become Lithuania's next big thing? |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u18/2018/news/the-real-big-baller-can-rokas-jokubaitis-become-lithuania-s-next-big-thing |publisher=FIBA |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=6 June 2018}} On 5 May, he made his senior debut for Žalgiris in its Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) regular season finale against Pieno žvaigždės.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-120403-jokubaicio-debiute-zalgiris-uzsitikrino-pirmaja-vieta-lkl-reguliariajame-sezone.html|title=Jokubaičio debiute "Žalgiris" užsitikrino pirmąją vietą LKL reguliariajame sezone|language=LT|date=5 May 2018|website=basketnews.lt}} In the 2018–19 season, Jokubaitis was named the Best Young Player in the second-tier National Basketball League after averaging 13.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game for Žalgiris-2.{{cite web |title=Zalgiris retains top Lithuanian prospect, Rokas Jokubaitis, on a multi-year deal |url=https://zalgiris.lt/en/news/bc-zalgiris/83741/ |publisher=Žalgiris |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=14 June 2019}}

On 14 June 2019, Jokubaitis signed a three-year contract extension with Žalgiris. In the 2020–21 season, he averaged seven points and 2.5 assists per game in the EuroLeague. Jokubaitis was the runner-up to Usman Garuba for the EuroLeague Rising Star award.{{cite web |title=Rokas Jokubaitis among the best in EuroLeague Rising Star voting |url=https://zalgiris.lt/en/news/bc-zalgiris/95225/ |publisher=Žalgiris |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=14 May 2021}} He averaged eight points and four assists per game in the LKL and was named Best Young Player of the league.{{cite web |title=Geriausias LKL jaunasis žaidėjas Jokubaitis: "Labai daug padėjo treneris Schilleris" |url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-152165-geriausias-lkl-jaunasis-zaidejas-jokubaitis-labai-daug-padejo-treneris-schilleris.html |website=Basketnews.lt |access-date=23 July 2021 |language=Lithuanian |date=29 May 2021}}

On 21 July 2021, Jokubaitis signed a four-year contract with FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague.{{cite web |title=Rokas Jokubaitis, a young jewel for Barça |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/basketball/first-team/news/2193566/rokas-jokubaitis-a-young-jewel-for-barca |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=21 July 2021}} In 2023–24 in 74 games averaging 16 minutes per game he averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 assists per gamem and shot 50% on two-point field goals. On 23 July 2024, Jokubaitis mutually parted ways with the club.{{cite web|title=Agreement to end contract with Rokas Jokubaitis|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/basquet/primer-equip/noticies/4061953/acord-per-a-la-finalitzacio-del-contracte-de-rokas-jokubaitis|publisher=FC Barcelona|date=23 July 2024|access-date=23 July 2024}}

On 24 July 2024, Jokubaitis signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the Euroleague.{{cite web|title=Maccabi signs Rokas Jokubaitis|url=https://maccabi.co.il/news.asp?id=16291&lang=en|website=Maccabi.co.il|date=24 July 2024|access-date=24 July 2024}}

Jokubaitis was selected with the 34th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA draft.{{cite web |title=2021 NBA Draft results: Picks 1-60 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/2021-nba-draft-results-picks-1-60 |website=nba.com |access-date=30 July 2021}} Later on the draft-day, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks, alongside Miles McBride, in exchange for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.{{cite web |title=Knicks Acquire Draft Rights to Jokubaitis and McBride |url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-acquire-draft-rights-jokubaitis-and-mcbride |website=nba.com |access-date=30 July 2021}} On 3 August 2021, it was announced that Jokubaitis would return to FC Barcelona after the conclusion of the 2021 NBA Summer League.{{cite web |title=Rokas Jokubaitis to play Summer League with the Knicks |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/basketball/first-team/news/2205401/rokas-jokubaitis-disputara-la-summer-league-con-los-knicks |website=fcbarcelona.com |access-date=4 August 2021 |date=3 August 2021}}

Jokubaitis played for Lithuania at the 2016 FIBA U16 European Championship in Poland. He averaged 10 points and helped his team win a silver medal.{{cite web|title=Rokas Jokubaitis (LTU)'s profile – FIBA U16 European Championship Division A 2016|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u16/2016/Rokas-Jokubaitis|publisher=FIBA |accessdate=10 January 2018}} Jokubaitis was the youngest player at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Egypt, averaging 10 points and 5.3 assists per game for the sixth-place team. At the 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship in Latvia, he averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as his team finished fifth.{{cite web |title=Jokubaitis looks to erase Lithuania disappointments, awaits facing USA at U19 World Cup |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2019/news/jokubaitis-looks-to-erase-lithuania-disappointments-awaits-facing-usa-at-u19-world-cup |publisher=FIBA |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=5 April 2019}} Jokubaitis led Lithuania to fourth place at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Greece, where he averaged 11.3 points and 5.6 assists per game.{{cite web |title=Rokas Jokubaitis (LTU)'s profile – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2019/player/Rokas-Jokubaitis |publisher=FIBA |access-date=23 July 2021}}

On 24 February 2020, Jokubaitis made his senior national team debut for Lithuania during EuroBasket qualification.{{cite web |last1=Askounis |first1=John |title=Rokas Jokubaitis earns Lithuania call-up |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurobasket/1020507/rokas-jokubaitis-earns-lithuania-call-up/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=10 February 2020}} In June and July 2021, he played at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas.{{cite web |title=Jokubaitis: These are do-or-die games for Lithuania |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/oqt/lithuania/2020/news/jokubaitis-these-are-do-or-die-games-for-lithuania |publisher=FIBA |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=2 July 2021}}

Jokubaitis' father, {{ill|Aivaras Jokubaitis|lt|lt=Aivaras}}, played professional basketball in Lithuania and Poland. His mother and sister also played the sport.{{cite web |title=Tėvas ir sūnus: Jokubaičių istorija |url=https://www.basketnews.lt/news-136231-tevas-ir-sunus-jokubaiciu-istorija.html |website=Basketnews.lt |access-date=23 July 2021 |language=Lithuanian |date=9 January 2020}}

On 12 December 2020, a man was arrested in Vilnius after scamming €10,000 from a woman he had dated for months by impersonating Jokubaitis.{{cite web |title=Man pretending to be Rokas Jokubaitis scammed woman for money |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/backstage/1141742/man-pretending-to-be-rokas-jokubaitis-scammed-woman-for-money/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=13 December 2020}}

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| Žalgiris

| 12 || 0 || 5.8 || .500 || .200 || .800 || .5 || .6 || .0 || .1 || 2.6 || 1.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| 10 || 0 || 6.4 || .444 || .500 || .750 || .5 || 1.3 || .3 || .0 || 2.2 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| 31 || 5 || 20.9 || .454 || .388 || .756 || 1.7 || 2.5 || .5 || .0 || 7.0 || 6.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| Barcelona

| 37 || 2 || 16.7 || .563 || .568 || .714 || 1.6 || 2.6 || .4 || .0 || 7.1 || 7.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23

| 39 || 0 || 14.8 || .416 || .413 || .776 || 2.0 || 2.6 || .3 || .1 || 5.3 || 6.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24

| 36 || 2 || 15.5 || .443 || .277 || .652 || 1.7 || 2.8 || .3 || .1 || 5.3 || 5.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 165 || 9 || 15.4 || .470 || .406 || .742 || 1.6 || 2.4 || .3 || .0 || 5.6 || 6.0

{{S-end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"

! Year

! Team

! League

! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}

! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}

! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free-throw percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}

! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}

! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}

! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}

! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris-2 || style="text-align:center;"|NKL || 46 || 24.7 || .458 || .333 || .822 || 2.8 || 4.5 || 1.1 || .0 || 9.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris || style="text-align:center;"|LKL || 3 || 12.9 || .615 || .250 || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.0 || 2.3 || .3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 5.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris-2 || style="text-align:center;"|NKL || 22 || 24.8 || .537 || .371 || .710 || 3.4 || 5.0 || .9 || .1 || 12.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris || style="text-align:center;"|LKL || 34 || 11.4 || .442 || .250 || .774 || .8 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || 4.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris || style="text-align:center;"|LKL || 19 || 17.3 || .542 || .457 || .808 || 2.1 || 2.7 || .5 || .0 || 7.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Lithuania|size=20px}} Žalgiris || style="text-align:center;"|LKL || 43 || 20.0 || .477 || .330 || .689 || 1.6 || 3.9 || .7 || .0 || 7.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Barcelona || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 39 || 16.9 || .493 || .409 || .753 || 1.7 || 2.8 || .4 || .0 || 7.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Barcelona || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 42 || 18.7 || .446 || .310 || .788 || 2.0 || 3.9 || .5 || .0 || 7.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Barcelona || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 34 || 16.6 || .576 || .500 || .719 || 1.4 || 2.6 || .3 || .0 || 7.0

{{S-end}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/ EuroLeague profile]
• [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Rokas-Jokubaitis/Summary/108679 RealGM profile]

{{Maccabi Tel Aviv BC current roster}}

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{{Euroleague Rising Star Award}}

{{2021 NBA draft}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jokubaitis, Rokas}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players

Category:21st-century Lithuanian sportsmen

Category:BC Žalgiris players

Category:BC Žalgiris-2 players

Category:FC Barcelona Bàsquet players

Category:Liga ACB players

Category:Lithuanian expatriate basketball people in Spain

Category:Lithuanian men's basketball players

Category:Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. players

Category:Oklahoma City Thunder draft picks

Category:People from Mažeikiai

Category:Point guards

Category:Sportspeople from Telšiai County