Before making waves in the French leagues or generating buzz on WNBA draft boards, Justė Veronika Jocytė’s basketball roots were firmly planted.
The 18-year-old Lithuanian star was born in Washington, D.C., but her game and tenacity trace back to Palanga, Lithuania, and a family immersed in basketball. As she rises in the pro ranks with Lyon ASVEL, fans are asking: Who shaped this rising WNBA prospect?
Meet the Parents Behind the Prodigy Justė Jocytė
Jocytė’s path to basketball stardom was paved by her parents, Aurelija Jocienė and Alvydas Jocys. They nurtured her dream and provided the genetic foundation.
Her father, Alvydas, is familiar with the court. He played college basketball in the United States while studying at the University of Nebraska College of Law. He later earned degrees in business management from Bellevue University and international business from Kaunas University of Technology.
While Alvydas didn’t turn pro, he brought his competitive spirit back to Lithuania. He played in amateur leagues and settled in Palanga, where he now works with LTU Basketball and has been a business insurance expert for Lithuanian Insurance. He has guided his daughter toward her future in the sport.
Her mother, Jocienė, maintains a lower profile but is a pillar in Justė’s life. She actively supports her daughter’s journey, often cheering from the sidelines and promoting her on social media. With nearly 300 Instagram followers and growing, she has become a subtle fan favorite among Jocytė’s supporters.
Lithuanian Foundation That Runs Deep
Though Justė was born in D.C., her formative years were spent in Lithuania. Once the family returned, her basketball journey began. She took her first steps in the sport under coach Daiva Mažionienė in Palanga and later moved to Klaipėda for more intensive training with coach Ramunė Kumpienė.
Justė’s basketball heritage extends beyond her parents. Her paternal uncle played professionally for KK Olimpas, highlighting that basketball is a family tradition and identity.
Currently playing for Lyon ASVEL in the French league and representing Lithuania in EuroBasket qualifiers, Justė is averaging 11.9 points per game. While fans in Dallas or Los Angeles may be anticipating her WNBA future, it’s the foundation laid by Aurelija and Alvydas that brought her to this point.
From a Palanga gym to the WNBA spotlight, Justė’s story is still unfolding, shaped by parents who recognized her potential for greatness. Her Lithuanian roots and family’s basketball passion are fueling Justė’s promising journey toward WNBA stardom.