Illinois freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley entered the 2025 NBA draft on 14 April after one season in Champaign.
No Illinois player had previously been drafted after a single college season, giving the program a chance to make history twice.
Jakucionis leads Illinois as an 18-year-old
Jakucionis led Illinois in scoring and assists while averaging 5.7 rebounds. His 494 points matched the school freshman record.
The 6-foot-6 guard also set Illinois freshman marks for free-throw percentage and 20-point games.
Coach Brad Underwood praised his intelligence, work ethic and character. “Those traits will continue to serve him well in the NBA,” Underwood said.
Riley grows into the Big Ten’s top reserve
Riley averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 35 games. He scored at least 10 in 13 of his final 15 appearances and was voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
The Canadian forward announced himself with 31 points in his debut, an Illinois freshman record for a first game.
Underwood called Riley one of the most gifted offensive players he had coached and praised him for adding more than 20 pounds after arriving in August.
Two freshmen leave a mark on the program
Illinois won 22 games before losing to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Both prospects moved directly towards the NBA draft, reflecting the level of talent Illinois brought into the program and developed in one season.
