NBL24 Next Star Mantas Rubstavicius has praised his season with the New Zealand Breakers in preparing him for a potential NBA opportunity, but after a workout with the Indiana Pacers, he conceded if he’s going to make a splash in the Association, he needs to improve his game across the board.

Rubstavicius became one of Mody Maor’s go-to offensive talents over his season with the Breakers. He ended the campaign having played 25 games in which he averaged 9.4 points per contest.

Impressively, Rubstavicius hit 51.7 per cent of his attempts from the field and 43.3 per cent of his attempts from three, which indicates the potential for him to become a high-level sharpshooter in the NBA.

“I think it prepared me well because it’s a really, really physical league with big guys. The New Zealand coach gave me big minutes, so I think it prepared me well and I learned a lot from that year,” Rubstavicius told Pacers Media following a workout.

“I think if you want to play in the NBA you have to improve everywhere, but for me if I want to be a shooter I have to improve my shooting, be able to guard multiple positions because in the NBA switch defence is the main thing.

“If you want to be a player in the NBA you have to improve everywhere and be amazing in those areas.

“I think I can be like Bogdan Bogdanovic when I reach my potential, I think I can be similar to him.

“I can bring energy from the bench, I can make shots, I can help my teammates in many different ways and do their dirty work, and that’s my game.”