Kel’el Ware Offers Encouragement to Kasparas Jakucionis After Rough Summer League Start with Heat…see more…
Las Vegas, NV Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis is quickly learning that the NBA Summer League is no walk in the park. After a couple of difficult outings in Las Vegas, the 18-year-old Lithuanian guard has struggled to find his rhythm, shooting poorly from the field and committing multiple turnovers. But through it all, one of his teammates—fellow rookie Kel’el Ware—is stepping up as a voice of support and mentorship.
Ware, the Heat’s first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and a standout center out of Indiana, has been quietly mentoring Jakucionis behind the scenes. Despite having a strong Summer League performance himself, Ware has taken notice of Jakucionis’ challenges and is offering guidance, not criticism.
“Man, it’s all part of the process,” Ware said after Monday’s game, in which Miami fell to the Golden State Warriors’ Summer League squad. “I told Kasparas not to get too down on himself. We all go through this. It’s not about how you start—it’s about how you grow.”
The Struggles of a Young Prospect
Jakucionis, who signed with the Heat after being drafted in the second round, has been pegged as a long-term project with significant upside. A former standout at FC Barcelona’s youth academy, Jakucionis is known for his playmaking vision, size at the guard position, and basketball IQ. But so far, the transition to the American game has been jarring.
In two Summer League games, Jakucionis has averaged just 4.5 points per game on 22% shooting, with a total of seven turnovers and only three assists. The Heat coaching staff is stressing patience, but the online chatter has been less forgiving.
“It’s not easy to come in and adapt to this level of speed and physicality, especially for international guys who are still teenagers,” said Heat Summer League coach Malik Allen. “Kasparas is smart and coachable. He’ll figure it out.”
Ware agrees—and he’s been through similar adversity.
Ware’s Own Growth Experience
Last year, Ware came into the NBA as a top-20 pick with questions surrounding his motor and consistency. After a promising stint with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce and a late-season call-up to the Heat, he has blossomed into a more confident and assertive presence. His growth arc has made him uniquely qualified to offer advice to someone like Jakucionis.
“I told him straight up: you’ve got the tools. Don’t let one or two games define how you see yourself,” Ware said. “Everybody’s watching, yeah, but the real ones know this is where you make mistakes so you don’t make them later.”
Ware’s comments carry weight not only because of his stature as a teammate but also because of how he’s carried himself during this Summer League campaign. In two games, the 7-footer has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting over 60% from the floor. His defensive presence and improved decision-making have caught the attention of both the Heat front office and national scouts.
“Kel’el has been a rock for us,” Allen said. “He’s not just playing well—he’s showing leadership, and that’s what we love.”
A Developing Friendship
While Jakucionis and Ware come from different backgrounds, sources close to the team say the two rookies have struck up a friendship in recent weeks. Ware has taken it upon himself to help Jakucionis adapt—both on the court and in everyday life.
“Kel’el is always talking to him, showing him little things—how to read a screen better, where to find space on a fast break, stuff like that,” said one Heat staffer. “But it’s also about helping him feel comfortable. That’s huge when you’re 18 and in a new country.”
Jakucionis acknowledged that support after Monday’s game, even as he avoided reporters initially.
“Kel’el has been really helpful,” he said later in the locker room. “He tells me to keep my head up, stay confident. That means a lot.”
Heat Culture and the Rookie Learning Curve
The Miami Heat organization is known for its demanding culture—often described as a “no excuses” environment built on hard work, toughness, and accountability. But part of that culture also includes veteran leadership and support among teammates, even in the Summer League setting.
“Kasparas has all the tools we look for,” said Adam Simon, the Heat’s VP of Basketball Operations. “What he’s going through is part of the learning curve. We believe in his development, and having guys like Kel’el around to support him only helps.”
Simon noted that Jakucionis’ skill set is rare for a player his age, and the team has every intention of bringing him along methodically—whether that means more G League minutes in the coming season or overseas development.
“We’re not rushing him,” Simon added. “We’re investing in him.”
Looking Ahead
For now, the Heat will play at least three more games in the Las Vegas Summer League, giving Jakucionis additional opportunities to find his footing. And as long as he’s in the lineup, Ware says he’ll be right there beside him.
“We’re a team,” Ware said. “That means picking each other up, not just when things are going good. I’ve been where he is, and I know he’ll get through it.”
The NBA Summer League is often a pressure cooker for young talent trying to prove they belong. But amid the missed shots and tough minutes, moments of mentorship like this one—between a rising big man and an eager teenage guard—can lay the foundation for something much greater down the road.
If Jakucionis turns the corner in the coming games or down the line in his career, it won’t be surprising to hear him reference this summer—and Kel’el Ware’s advice—as a pivotal turning point.
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