Illinois Star -Neuling Kasparas Jakucionis to enter NBA draft

Illinois Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, a projected top 10 election, told ESPN that he would enter the NBA design of 2025.

“This was my dream at a young age,” Jakucionis told ESPN on Monday. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Farewell to Illinois will be the most difficult part. I have made friends and real relationships with players, trainers, support employees and everyone near Champaign. My goal is to work as hard as possible and to be the best version of me.”

Jakucionis, ESPNS No. 9-draft prospect, was appointed to the big ten all-Freshman team and the all-Big team after the average of 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season. Illinois made the 32nd round of the NCAA tournament and lost against Kentucky No. 3.

“It went over so quickly,” said Jakucionis. “There were many ups and downs with a young team in which almost no one had played in the NCAA tournament. Coach (Brad) Underwood and my teammates trusted me. We have built a great relationship, chemistry and bond. The connections that I made will stay with me for a long time.”

Jakucionis, who comes from Vilnius, Lithuania, became one of the first highly respected international point guards who do without the traditional path of the European league on College basketball in the USA.

He was one of the youngest players who have ever played for Euroleague Powerhouse Barcelona when he celebrated his ACB debut at 16. He was a decorated player at Fiba level and represented his home country in the U16 and U18 Eurobaskets 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“I wanted to be closer to the American basketball,” said Jakucionis. “The academic side is very important for me and my family. And of course it helps for the NBA. The competition in college is extremely high. Every game and all the details. To be part of the Illinois program.

When the season started, Jakucionis’ talent immediately stood up for NBA scouts. It has an impressive combination of size (6-foot 6), toughness, pace, feeling for the game, playmaking and promotion of shot. He is an outstanding pick-and-roller player who plays an intelligent and selfless brand of basketball, gets the floor on the floor and aggressively contacts contact.

“Luka Doncic is the main actor that I study in relation to the way he reads the game,” said Jakucionis. “Of course I look at the NBA how the guards attack each other, attack defensive adjustments and pick-and-roll readings. I also look at a lot of Euroleague and ACB. Try to follow my former teammates in Barcelona. For this, I like to study Nick Calathes and Kostas Sloukas. The IQ level is unbelievable.”

The NBA Draft Combine will take place in Chicago from May 11th to 18th. The design will take place in New York from June 25th to 26th.

Jonathan Givony is an expert from NBA Draft and founder and co-owner of DrafTexpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service from NBA, NCAA and international teams.