"Illinois Point Guard Kasparas Jakucionis Declares for NBA Draft"
Illinois' top prospect, point guard Kasparas Jakucionis, announced his decision to enter the 2025 NBA draft on Monday.
The 6-foot-6 player from Lithuania had an impressive freshman season with the Fighting Illini, averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. According to ESPN, Jakucionis is expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft.
Jakucionis expressed his excitement for this opportunity, but also acknowledged the difficulty of leaving his team and the relationships he has built at Illinois. He plans to work hard and improve as he enters the next level of his career.
Also see this picks:
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction APRIL 30th 2025
Also see this picks:
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick & Prediction APRIL 30th 2025
Illinois coach Brad Underwood is still waiting for a decision from freshman forward Will Riley, who is also considering entering the draft. ESPN predicts that Riley could be a top-20 pick if he chooses to do so.
Jakucionis is known for his versatility as a combo guard and his 3-point shooting, averaging 31.8 percent from beyond the arc. However, his high turnover rate of 3.6 per game may be a concern for some teams.
On a positive note, Jakucionis has a strong free throw percentage of 84.5 percent.
The last time Illinois had a player selected in the draft lottery was in 2012, when Meyers Leonard was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 11.
