4 players with Illinois ties were picked in 1st round of NBA draft. Here's what to know about them.

Chicago Tribune

5 hours ago

Four players with Illinois ties began their NBA journeys Wednesday night when they heard their names called during the first round of the NBA draft.
Joliet native Jeremiah Fears went at No. 7 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Illinois teammates Kasparas Jakučionis and Will Riley were picked back-to-back, Jakučionis going 20th to the Miami Heat and Riley 21st to the Washington Wizards. They became the first Illini teammates selected in the first round of the same draft since Deron Williams and Luther Head in 2005.
Finally, Glencoe native Danny Wolf waited much of the night before hearing his name called with the 27th pick by the Brooklyn Nets in an emotional moment with his family.
Here's what to know about each of them.
No. 7 pick, New Orleans Pelicans
Fears' mother, Sekia, couldn't stop crying. Sitting beside Oklahoma coach Porter Moser at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, she watched her son cross the stage and share a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. ESPN cameras caught the moment afterward, tears streaming down Sekia Fears' cheeks.
Jeremiah Fears wore a suit in Sooners crimson and two chains: one that said 'Fears' and the other with the Oklahoma 'O.'
'It was super dope,' Fears said afterward. 'It was definitely one of those things that you will never forget, something that you dream about for a long time.'
His journey will continue in New Orleans, but it started in Joliet. Fears began his high school career at Joliet West before transferring to Arizona Compass Prep near Phoenix after his sophomore season. He's the younger brother of Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr., and their father, Jeremy Fears, played college basketball at Ohio University and Bradley.
A top-rated recruit nationally, Jeremiah Fears initially committed to Brad Underwood and Illinois. Last summer, however, he decommitted from the Illini and decided to join Moser, the former Loyola coach, at Oklahoma. He also reclassified into the Class of 2024 so he could join the Sooners a year early. Thanks to that move, he was one of the youngest players in this year's draft (he won't turn 19 until mid-October).
Fears led Oklahoma with 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game. He showed an ability to get to the rim and the free-throw line. His 183 made free throws were tied for 11th in the nation.
'Great speed with the ball, an excellent handle and dynamic in pick-and-roll situations,' ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. 'Very productive, uses his body well, a knack to get into the lane and get fouled.'
No. 20, Miami Heat
Jakučionis went into the night projected as a likely lottery pick. So it was somewhat of a surprise when he was still available at No. 20.
The Heat took full advantage.
The 19-year-old grew up in Lithuania, a country that has produced numerous NBA talents, including 2024 Chicago Bulls first-round pick Matas Buzelis.
'In Lithuania, basketball is like (a) second religion,' Jakučionis said.
He played for FC Barcelona before coming to America to play for Underwood at Illinois.
Chicago Bulls draft French teen Noa Essengue at No. 12, opting for upside and versatilityJakučionis plays with a blend of size, feel and vision. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists while totaling six double-doubles — including one in Illinois' first-round NCAA Tournament win over Xavier. He excelled as a playmaker in pick-and-rolls and showed a high-level ability to find his teammates for open shots.
The biggest question mark with Jakučionis seems to be whether he'll develop as a scorer at the next level. He shot 32% from 3-point range last season. Turnovers were a problem from time to time during his lone season in Champaign.
Underwood was in New York to support Jakučionis and his teammate Riley. Jakučionis wouldn't have had it any other way.
'I've only been there for one year, but we've connected so good,' Jakučionis said. 'I feel like they're my family and I'm so happy to share the moment with them because I really believe that they trusted me this year, they gave me the keys to the team, and I'm so grateful that they could be here with me.'
No. 21, Washington Wizards (via trade with Utah Jazz)
After Jakučionis went 20th, Underwood didn't have to wait long for his other freshman to be drafted. Riley went 21st, initially donning a Jazz hat, although his draft rights were traded to the Wizards.
Going back-to-back was a special moment for the Illini freshmen.
'We went through the whole season together and we got to compete against each other through the whole season,' Riley said. 'It was amazing building a brotherhood with him. Going back-to-back picks, it was super nice and (we're) family for life, for sure.'
Riley grew up in Ontario but spent the last two years of his high school career at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa. Last summer he reclassified into the Class of 2024 and committed to Illinois. He blossomed into the Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds coming off the bench for the Illini.
His 6-foot-8 height combined with the ability to move without the ball and create off the dribble makes him an intriguing prospect. On the flip side, at 186 pounds Riley will have to bulk up if he's going to handle the physical rigors of the pro game.
At Illinois, Riley was never afraid to try a contested shot. He credited his more veteran teammates with helping him navigate his freshman season.
'I feel like I already went through all that adversity, so I know how to deal with it now and I know how to stay confident and stay modest through it all and stay level-headed,' Riley said.
No. 27, Brooklyn Nets
Wolf had his head down, eyes glued to his phone.
One of the last players sitting on the floor at the Barclays Center, the nervous energy had long since turned to worry. Worry that he would leave the arena Thursday night and not hear his name announced at all.
When the Nets selected Wolf with the 27th pick, the 6-11 big man let out a huge exhale and shared a hug with his brother. Much of Wolf's family was soon in tears.
'It's really hard to put into words,' Wolf said of the emotions involved. 'It's such a unique, special opportunity and experience. In terms of being in the green room, I didn't exactly know how long I would've been sitting there for.'
Wolf played his first three years of high school ball at Lake Forest Academy before transferring to Northfield Mount Hermon, a prep school in Massachusetts, for his senior season. He initially played two years at Yale and was a member of the 2023-24 team that upset Auburn as a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
After that season, Wolf transferred to Michigan to play for first-year Wolverines coach Dusty May.
During his lone season in Ann Arbor, Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists and totaled 50 blocks in 37 games. Wolf has excellent footwork, is able to handle the ball at his size and can knock down the occasional 3-pointer (34% for the season).
After waiting several hours to hear his name, Wolf likened it to his entire basketball journey. His path has been unconventional — he hardly played his freshman year at Yale — but it has led him to Brooklyn.
'I don't think where you're drafted defines you. It's just the start of getting into the league,' Wolf said. 'It's been my basketball journey thus far, having to go step by step. Underrecruited out of high school, unranked, so to speak, and Yale took a chance on me.'
The Nets are taking a chance on him too.