Happy Birthday to Juste Jocyte

[MilfordHusky]

This young Lithuanian star just turned 15 last week. She is arguably the best player in the world at her age. She played on the Lithuanian Senior National Team at age 13!! She is barely 15 and plays as if she is 20.

Justė Jocytė - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MilfordHusky]

BTW, the lefty with the smooth stroke is already 6'1"

 

[MilfordHusky]

She is FIVE years away from being a college freshman in this video:

 

[Kaizen]

Hope she can join UConn in the future.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Hope she really, really likes what she's doing and doesn't burn out. Many of the best kids in Europe go directly to the pros, so don't get too excited @Kaizen.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Here's the FIBA European U16 championship game, won by Lithuania. She's playing point guard at age 13.

 

[MSGRET]

Wonder if USF Coach Fernandez has already offered her a scholarship. Didn't he have a couple of players from Lithuania a few years back.

 

[vtcwbuff]

She is a US citizen right?

 

[Alydar]

Wiki says she "signed a deal" to play in a pro league. How would this effect her college eligibility? The NCAA would be idiots to not allow her in. Or am I stating the obvious?

 

[MSGRET]

Wiki says she "signed a deal" to play in a pro league. How would this effect her college eligibility? The NCAA would be idiots to not allow her in. Or am I stating the obvious?

I believe as long as she doesn't get paid for playing except for per diem she is allowed to play college ball.

 

[JordyG]

This young lady may be the new "she who will not be named". I'd conceivably give my lug nuts for this young lady to play for UConn.

 

[da60]

Well, here we go again....WOW....just turned 15 and this Lithuanian girl looks like the real deal.
Amazin! I remember writing about Geno running all over Poland to land Anna...how did that turn out? Anna is still blooming. From the video, it looks like tons of wbb coaches will increase their international recruiting.
As an oldie, as many of us are, we may not get the opportunity to see Juste play in college, not wanting to be doom and gloom, just being realistic. Back in the day, when working with some top HS girls, I couldn't imagine seeing kids with that much talent. When Geno and CD eventually turn the Huskies over, the coach selected will have her or his hands full. There are some terrific young coaches out there who played under Geno. I could name a number of them, but you BYers sure know the names. The continuation of our excellence lays in the hands of the university's administration.
Now lets enjoy the fruits of Geno's recruiting and coaching with the wonderful young women on today's squad. Let us all stay safe and enjoy.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I believe as long as she doesn't get paid for playing except for per diem she is allowed to play college ball.

Ezi Magbegor played as an unpaid pro in Canberra. After Lauren Jackson talked her into playing pro ball in Melbourne instead of attending UConn, she became a paid pro. As we know, either Anna or Nika (or both) played as amateurs in pro leagues. Juste is playing for a Tony Parker team in France, but I don't know her status.

 

[CocoHusky]

Wiki says she "signed a deal" to play in a pro league. How would this effect her college eligibility? The NCAA would be idiots to not allow her in. Or am I stating the obvious?

I believe as long as she doesn't get paid for playing except for per diem she is allowed to play college ball.

A few of us have been corresponding with @awhom111 regarding her college eligibility. This was the response we received when we asked about her ability to play NCAA basketball.

Obviously none of us are privy to the actual arrangements, but strictly speaking, players that young are not allowed to be professional athletes in most of Europe the way that a 14 year old could be a professional athlete in the United States so any compensation she receives most likely falls under the NCAA allowable expenses for living. That said, given her accomplishments at her age, it feels unlikely that she would opt for college although the idea of the potential future female Doncic playing in college sounds fun.

 

[CocoHusky]

He or she is the poster who keeps an eye on all things European and UCONN related. He has sent videos and stats of Nika from her league play before she arrived at UCONN.

 

[RoadWarrior]

This young Lithuanian star just turned 15 last week. She is arguably the best player in the world at her age. She played on the Lithuanian Senior National Team at age 13!! She is barely 15 and plays as if she is 20.

Justė Jocytė - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MilfordHusky, does this mean that you have moved on from Azzi to Jocyte? That was a short relationship.

 

[CocoHusky]

She is a US citizen right?

She was born in the US.

 

[MilfordHusky]

MilfordHusky, does this mean that you have moved on from Azzi to Jocyte? That was a short relationship.

Well, Azzi and Saylor are my local girls. When the pandemic is over and I can resume traveling, Juste will be on my radar. As a UConn fan, I can love multiple players (and recruits).

 

[JordyG]

Well, Azzi and Saylor are my local girls. When the pandemic is over and I can resume traveling, Juste will be on my radar. As a UConn fan, I can love multiple players (and recruits).

Like me a basketball philanderer.

 

[Ozimoto]

Milford, you forgot Mir!

 

[Skeets]

She was born in the US.

Washington, D.C., so she should have a U.S. birth certificate. Washington is part of the U.S., right?

 

[stamfordhusky]

Washington, D.C., so she should have a U.S. birth certificate. Washington is part of the U.S., right?

She would be a U.S. citizen unless her parents were working for the Lithuanian government at the time.

 

[Scud49]

Gotta have her, more sleepless nights ahead

 

[chrissaran]

Impressive. Who knows what the future holds?