Projected lottery pick Kasparas Jakučionis declares for 2025 NBA draft
Projected lottery pick Kasparas Jakučionis declares for 2025 NBA draft
Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakučionis told ESPN on Monday that he will declare for the 2025 NBA draft after one season with the Fighting Illini.
Jakučionis, 18, was named to the All-Big Ten third team, averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 44% shooting from 3-point range in 33 games. He led the team in scoring, tying the freshman record for total points in a season (494).
The 6-foot-6 forward ranked 13th in the country in scoring among freshmen. He set the freshman program record with 10 20-point performances, including 24 points, six rebounds and five assists on Dec. 10 in a win over Wisconsin.
Before Illinois, Jakučionis, born in Lithuania, joined Barcelona at 16 for the 2022-23 season. He played 19 games with Barcelona's second team the following season, averaging 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals on 38% shooting from 3-point range.
Jakučionis has also represented Lithuania several times at the junior level, most recently at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in seven games en route to a sixth-place finish.
He is projected to be a lottery pick this year, with his ability to score at all three levels, playmaking, vision and passing. Given his vast high-level experience, Jakučionis could hear his name called as high as the 6-8 range on June 25.
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