Video: Kasparas Jakucionis knocks down ice-cold stepback to beat Purdue

Kasparas Jakucionis has been the star of the show for Illinois basketball. The 18-year-old Lithuanian guard has solidified his name as one of the top guard prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. Since suffering a wrist injury midway through the season, however, Jakucionis has been streaky. He has struggled with his outside shot and has struggled with turnovers. In the game vs Purdue, Jakucionis struggled in the first half and ultimately ended the game with 10 points and 7 assists. Luckily for the Illini, the other players on the team have stepped up their game so that so much does not ride on the young freshman.

This is a major plus for the Illini heading into March Madness, as the “others” stepped up and allowed Kasparas Jakucionis to bring them home.

Early Onions by Jakucionis.

There were about 40 seconds left on the clock and the game was tied 79-79. The Illini had done everything that they could to come back from a 5-point deficit with 3 minutes left to go. Kasparas Jakucionis took the reigns and hit a cold-blooded stepback three. This shot by Jakucionis essentially helped steer the Illini toward victory. After a rough month of February and some painful close losses at the beginning of the year, a roar of emotion went through the Illini fanbase.

If that was the last time Jakucionis plays at the State Farm Center, he supplanted his legacy with this shot.

“From Lithuania with love.” Kasparas Jakucionis MASSIVE three for @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/qUewRP5S3U

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 8, 2025

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