Illinois freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis — one of the top international prospects in college basketball — has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, fulfilling a lifelong ambition and capping off a memorable season in Champaign.
“This has been my dream from a young age,” Jakucionis told ESPN. “I’ve waited for this moment a long time. Saying goodbye to Illinois will be the hardest part.”
Jakucionis made a strong case as a top-10 selection with his all-around play. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors and a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. His leadership helped Illinois reach the NCAA tournament’s Round of 32, where they were narrowly eliminated by Kentucky.
“There were ups and downs,” he said. “But Coach Underwood and my teammates believed in me. The relationships I’ve built here are lifelong.”
✈️ From Vilnius to Champaign
Born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, Jakucionis defied the traditional path taken by many European guards. Rather than remaining in Europe, he moved to the U.S. to test himself in the competitive environment of NCAA basketball.
Before Illinois, he already had serious pedigree: a EuroLeague debut with FC Barcelona at age 16 and standout performances for Lithuania in multiple FIBA youth championships.
“I wanted to be closer to American basketball,” Jakucionis explained. “The college game is incredibly competitive, and the facilities at Illinois — everything from recovery to weight training — are world-class.”
He embraced the off-court growth just as much as the on-court grind.
“I grew a lot,” he said. “It’s a different culture, a different pace. But I’d tell any young European player: if you want to challenge yourself and become tougher, choose the U.S. route.”
🧠 A High-IQ Guard with NBA Tools
At 6-foot-6, Jakucionis offers rare size for a guard — but it’s his composure, passing ability, and basketball IQ that have NBA scouts excited. His poise in pick-and-rolls and unselfish decision-making are already at a pro level.
“Luka Dončić is the main player I study,” he said. “The way he reads the game, how he manipulates defenders — it’s elite. I also watch Nick Calathes and Kostas Sloukas. The IQ in the EuroLeague is amazing.”
Jakucionis isn’t just another European guard — he’s a versatile, modern playmaker who controls pace and thrives in both half-court and transition settings.
📅 Next Stop: NBA Draft Combine
The next step on Jakucionis’ journey will be a showcase at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago (May 11–18), before the spotlight turns to the 2025 NBA Draft in New York (June 25–26).
“I came here to be better — and I became better,” Jakucionis said. “Now it’s about taking everything I learned and giving it everything I’ve got.”
With his elite tools, maturity, and international pedigree, Kasparas Jakucionis enters the draft as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 class.
