Rokas Jokubaitis among the best in EuroLeague Rising Star voting 1

Rokas Jokubaitis was one of the top youngsters in the EuroLeague Rising Star voting. Zalgiris guard took second place, only allowing Usman Garuba of Real Madrid in front of him.

Voted on by the league’s head coaches, the Rising Star Trophy recognizes the best player in each EuroLeague season who was under the age of 22 on July 1 of the previous summer.

Garuba, who turned 19 in early March, averaged 3.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.7 blocks in 16:17 minutes per game. He led all Rising Star candidates in accumulated PIR (238) and rebounds (157). Garuba also ranked eighth among all EuroLeague players in total blocks (27). He was one of only two players to appear in every game for Real this season. He started 20 games, more than any other Rising Star-eligible player and fourth-most for Los Blancos.

Rokas Jokubaitis of Zalgiris Kaunas followed in second place in the voting by EuroLeague head coaches.

Also receiving votes were Leandro Bolmaro of FC Barcelona, Carlos Alocen of Real Madrid, Jonas Mattisseck of ALBA Berlin, Matthew Strazel of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Sergi Martinez of Barcelona.