The transition to college basketball is rarely easy, and for Aleksas Bieliauskas, it came with an added challenge — making the jump from overseas competition to the Big Ten.
Over his first year on the court in Madison, Bieliauskas has emerged as an extremely productive player who has made significant progress toward earning a consistently solid position with the team.
When Bieliauskas entered Wisconsin, he was coming from very different circumstances than most other players in the Big Ten Conference. The Lithuanian native played for Zalgiris II which is the minor league program of one of the most well-known basketball franchises in all of Europe, Žalgiris Kaunas.
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Prior to arriving in Madison, Bieliauskas spent time in the second-tier professional basketball league (NKL) in Lithuania, where he had the opportunity of competing against older players who were stronger than him each game — a terrific way to adjust to playing at an elite level without the usual expectations that accompany NCAA Division I athletics.
Bieliauskas had a solid experience with Zalgiris II last year with averages of 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and one block per game, and he gave teams in both America and Europe reason to take note by demonstrating that his combo skill set is very versatile.
The decision he made to commit to Wisconsin over Kansas had people talking but Bieliauskas felt Wisconsin was the best fit for him in terms of development, opportunity and the program’s future direction.
Now, he’s starting to show why.
Bieliauskas has played in 22 games, averaging 17.7 minutes per game, and his stats may look modest overall: 4.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and shooting 46 percent from the field. He also demonstrated some ability to stretch the floor, making 33.3 percent of his three-point attempts and making 75 percent from the free throw line. While the raw numbers may not seem very impressive at first glance, he has been impactful for the Badgers.
When the Wisconsin Badgers pulled a stunning upset against the second-ranked Michigan Wolverines in mid-December, it marked a significant announcement by the freshman forward to the national college basketball audience. He performed admirably, recording career bests in points (17), free throws (7 of 9) and assists (4) while exhibiting a calm demeanor that belied his youth and the enormity of the game. On the court against a top-ranked team in front of a hostile crowd, Bieliauskas played as if he belonged — hitting several shots, taking advantage of mismatches on offense and providing a spark offensively at a critical moment.
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In addition to his impressive debut in the Big Ten Conference, Bieliauskas has impressed in other big games — scoring 10 points in Wisconsin’s victory over Ohio State and 11 points in the Badgers’ win versus Marquette — demonstrating the emergence of a consistent and productive role player for the Badgers this season. When called upon, he has answered with a performance that has positively impacted the outcome of games.
What intrigues many observers about Bieliauskas is his ability to play varied roles within the context of games. He has shown to have the ability to effectively stretch the floor and make outside shots on occasions requiring him to do so. Conversely, he has displayed value as a rebounder, shot blocker or simply by providing solid minutes in keeping the players involved in the rotation in rhythm.
His 0.6 blocks per game are evidence of his learning curve to adjust to the speed of the college game and his embrace of the physicality required at this level to be successful.
His ability to adapt has stemmed from his upbringing. There are very few resources available in Lithuania so development has to come out of a necessity and not because there is a specific skill or system. Playing with Zalgiris II taught him how to contribute and have an impact on the results of the game without being the focus of the game, which has carried over well into Madison. He generally does not force the issue — he instead waits for the game to come to him and capitalizes when an opportunity arises.
He also has a level of maturity to his game that scores points with many people. True freshmen typically have their inconsistencies defined by their actions, but Bieliauskas has done an excellent job of being patient and displaying a course for long-term development. His turnover rate has been low and while he struggles with offensive usage, he does not struggle with effort. Coaches really appreciate a player who is reliable at all times, especially because he is adjusting to a new country, new system and a new level of play.
The possibilities for Bieliauskas’ future in Wisconsin seems very optimistic. The size and feel for his shots project well as he continues to get stronger, and his ability to deal with pressure would indicate that his ceiling is above what his current role would indicate. With another offseason of development physically and tactically, Bieliauskas has the tools to be a steady contributor to the Badger’s frontcourt.
For the time being, Bieliauskas is doing exactly what Wisconsin needs him to do — learn, contribute and develop in real time. After nine months of being a freshman, Bieliauskas’ first year has not been one of statistics or headlines but one of establishing trust and showing signs of what he can become. Wisconsin has depended on balance and timely scoring this season. Through it all, Aleksas Bieliauskas has quietly been a part of the equation and based on his first season, it’s clear that his journey through Madison is just beginning.
