Defining Benet senior Daniel Pauliukonis isn’t easy to do.

Is he a guard? Is he a forward? Or is he a center?

The answer is all three, and that could be a big problem for the Redwings’ opponents.

“He’s a basketball player,” Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. “We’re not going to worry too much about the positions. We’ll play him everywhere.”

The 6-foot-9 Pauliukonis was used primarily as a shooter last season, when he demonstrated the ability to hit 3-pointers. Heidkamp envisions the Southern Illinois commit doing much more than that this season.

“We’re expanding his role,” Heidkamp said. “We will use him a lot on the perimeter. If the matchup is right, we’ll put him on the block, and we’ll use him to handle the ball quite a bit. For his size, he can handle the ball against pressure.”

That role sounds like a lot of responsibility, but Pauliukonis has grown his game a lot since last season, when he averaged 8.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field, including 44% on 3-pointers. He gained 15 pounds of muscle to increase his weight to 200, and he worked hard to expand his arsenal of skills.

The result is someone who looks ready to step from supporting role to headliner.

“I think my confidence went up and I became more aggressive,” Pauliukonis said. “I’ve also put on some weight. That also gave me confidence. Obviously, I have a bigger role now, and that plays a huge part.”

Benet’s Daniel Pauliukonis (24) shoots from the outside against Bolingbrook during a Class 4A East Aurora Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (Mark Black / Naperville Sun)

In an evolving sport that puts a premium on versatility, Pauliukonis presents a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Heidkamp can pair Pauliukonis with junior center Colin Stack, who is listed as 7-2, to form one of the biggest post duos in the state, although neither is a traditional back-to-the-basket big man.

“They’ll play together quite a bit,” Heidkamp said. “The size is just part of the story. They are different types of players than in the old days where your big guy stood under the basket and they weren’t skilled. These kids can both shoot the ball.”

Pauliukonis also adds value with his ballhandling. The Redwings have two excellent guards — senior Blake Fagbemi, a Truman State recruit, and junior Jayden Wright — even after junior Gabriel Sularski transferred to Lemont, but Pauliukonis will get his share of chances to bring the ball up the court.

The sight of someone so tall playing the point at the high school level is a rare sight.

“We’re relying on him to be able to advance the ball off the dribble but also pass over the defense,” Heidkamp said. “That’s the thing that’s unique about his size and his skill level.

“He’s 6-9, but he has guard skills, so I feel that bodes really well for our team and also his future on the next level.”

Pauliukonis is looking forward to showing off his myriad skills.

“I like handling the ball, bringing it up, and I think shooting is a big part of my game,” he said. “I have to knock down shots and then obviously get shots for my teammates and give them opportunities.”

Fagbemi expects big things from Pauliukonis, regardless of whether he’s on the giving or receiving end of passes.

“He’s really long, and he’s able to shoot it at a high level,” Fagbemi said. “That’s what separates him from many other people.

“His defense has improved a lot since last season. That’s one thing I’ve noticed.”

Benet’s Daniel Pauliukonis (24) takes the ball to the basket against Bolingbrook during a Class 4A East Aurora Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (Mark Black / Naperville Sun)

One thing that hasn’t been answered yet is what Pauliukonis’ teammates will do when he takes a turn at point guard. Will the 6-1 Fagbemi get to play in the post?

“Maybe coach could experiment with that,” Fagbemi said with a grin.

The Redwings hope to do a lot of grinning if things go as planned.

“I’m really excited,” Pauliukonis said. “We had a great summer, and I believe that we can have a great season. We just have to put in the work and do our thing. We have the potential to be great.”

As does Pauliukonis, who by all accounts has not skimped on the work.

“Daniel is a self-made player,” Heidkamp said. “He’s worked really hard on his game. He’s at a different level than he was six months ago. He puts the time in, and it’s paid off, and I hope he has a great season because he deserves it.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/25/boys-basketball-preview-daniel-pauliukonis-benet/