Kasparas Jakučionis announced his decision to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft after completing an impressive season at Illinois, where he earned all-Big Ten honors as a freshman. The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian guard showcased his talent, potentially being the first international prospect selected in this year’s draft.

Jakučionis transferred to Illinois from FC Barcelona in Spain, committing to coach Brad Underwood last May and adapts quickly to the American style of play. Despite a less impactful second half of the season, his initial performances revealed considerable potential as a playmaker.

In his first 15 games, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 41.6% from three-point range. His shooting numbers dipped to 31.8% by season’s end as the pressures of Big Ten competition increased.

Quote: “NEWS: Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, a projected top-10 pick from Lithuania, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN.” Translation: This illustrates his ambition and aspirations for a successful career in the NBA.

Despite challenges in his shooting, Jakučionis frequently displayed a remarkable understanding of the game, achieving 16 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in Illinois’ NCAA Tournament debut against Xavier.

In terms of draft projections, Jakučionis is ranked fourth in the 2025 CBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings and is anticipated to be the ninth pick by Portland according to the latest mock draft by CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone. Boone suggests that Jakučionis’s profile as a big guard who can score and facilitate makes him an attractive option for any NBA team, mentioning that a strong fit with Portland alongside Scoot Henderson could be realized.

Adam Finkelstein, director of scouting at 247 Sports, predicts Jakučionis may be selected seventh in upcoming drafts despite his ups and downs this past season. Finkelstein noted that Jakučionis initially was viewed as a top-three pick but struggled in the closing weeks of the season, which will weigh on his draft stock.

Illinois concluded the season with a record of 22-13 (12-8 Big Ten), as Underwood undertook a significant roster overhaul following an Elite Eight appearance the previous year. The turnaround reflected through the team’s lack of connectivity showed down the stretch. While all players retained eligibility from this past season, notable contributors such as Tre White and Morez Johnson have entered the transfer portal.