International star Juste Jocyte is an exceptional basketball player. As a 13-year-old who joined Tony Parker‘s Lyon ASVEL Academy, this Lithuanian-American star has more basketball IQ than any of her contemporaries. Jocyte clinched a silver during the first season of her career at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship by averaging 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. And there was no looking back.
She was crowned 2022 Lithuania’s Best Basketball Player of the Year. No wonder all eyes are on her during the 2025 WNBA drafts! A versatile forward with exceptional shooting and scoring ability, let us explore the possible teams the Lyon star is expected to land.
Where will Juste Jocyte likely land in the 2025 WNBA draft?
Minnesota Lynx
Building around key players like Napheesa Collier and Diamond Miller, the Minnesota Lynx is popularly known for the smart development of young players. With a high basketball IQ and athleticism, Jocyte is a perfect fit for the team, as she will bring in a mix of solid defense and scoring abilities. Besides this, Juste Jocyte can learn a lot under the guidance of the Lynx head coach, Cheryl Reeve. The HC’s system values discipline, defence, and players who possess a high IQ offence.
Chicago Sky
Currently undergoing transition after key veterans made their respective exits in 2021, the Chicago Sky is looking for high-upside players to mold as they are invested in rebuilding a more youth-centric team. Having said that, this opportunity knocked at a perfect time for Jocyte to make a swift entry to the roster. Known for her shooting prowess, the MVP could easily slot into their system as a long, athletic shooter with upside to develop into a lead wing for the team in no time! Just saying!
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream has a strong defensive identity and a growing core with key players like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray ruling the roster. As a small forward, Jocyte could play along with Howard and Gray and complement their shooting skills and defences to make a powerful trio on-court. Juste Jocyte’s versatility will prove to be an advantage for the team, especially as a 2/3 hybrid, that will fit perfectly in a fast-paced, athletic lineup. Also, it will be exciting to see the three perform together.
Los Angeles Sparks
As the most successful team in the WNBA’s history, Los Angeles Sparks has a mix of young and old recruits on its roster. However, it has been rebuilding its image for quite some time now. They are in dire need of perimeter shooters and creators to round out their roster, making it an ideal team for Jocyte. The description aptly matches the internationally polished star who commands an offensive poise in the paint. She could give LA a long-term wing option alongside player Rickea Jackson.
New York Liberty
Though stacked with some of the most fantastic stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart in the team, the New York Liberty could stash an international talent for the future. If drafted, the Lithuanian native can act as a substitute or develop behind players like Ionescu and Stewart, to say the least. Eventually, Jocyte could come off the bench, learn from some of the league’s best, and slowly get integrated into a title-contending system. Sounds like a long run, doesn’t it?
Who is Juste Jocyte’s player comparison in the WNBA?
Marine Johannès
Juste Jocyte is often compared to New York Liberty star player Marine Johannes. The French professional is a shooting guard who stands 5’10” (1.78 m) tall. Johannes, born on January 21, 1995, comes across as an extremely confident long-range shooter. She is often seen predominantly shooting from the arc. With 43.0% FPG, 38.7% three-point percentage, and 79.3% free throws so far, the French WNBA player is an exceptional shooter.
As a playmaker, Johannes is a creative yet flashy passer on the court who brings forth a lot of flair in her performances, both individually and as a team. Though playing style is seen as streaky sometimes, it gets electric when the pressures are real and the on-court scene is hot. Her craftiness to create more scoring opportunities on the court and her pilot’s vision are the reasons why she is being compared to Juste. If the two ever get a chance to play from the same side of the court, Juste can help cover for Johanne’s consistency, physicality on the court, and defences.
Why This Comparison Works
This is a very tactical comparison between the two players. Both Juste and Johanne are European natives that play at guard/wing positions. They possess a natural creativity to use their opponents and create opportunities in the paint. Both players are equally comfortable in handing the ball and in initiating offences. The international stars possess a pro-ready-feel quality, even at a young age. This quality is admired and appreciated by the WNBA teams, making them a hot favourite.
However, Juste, like Marine, can thrive in a motion offense where she has the freedom to read the floor. With a slight height advantage over Marine, Jocyte is possibly a more versatile player when it comes to defense. She even has more rebounding upside as compared to Johannes.
Projection
If developed well, Juste Jocyte could become a taller, more well-rounded version of Marine Johannès—less flashy maybe, but more steady and impactful over full games, especially on both ends of the court. Nonetheless, it would be exciting to see the European stars play together.
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