Does Illinois Basketball have the most NBA Prospects in the Big Ten?

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has released a top-100 2025 NBA draft prospect list. Marquee players such as Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper were featured on the list, however, Illinois basketball was well represented. In fact, the Illini had the most prospects on the list compared to the rest of the eigtheen team Big Ten. Illinois basketball had four of its players

It is certainly a historic time for the Illini. In the past twelve years, Illinois basketball has had only two NBA draft picks: Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. If Givony’s list holds accurate, that number should certainly increase

Two Freshman, Two Transfers

The Illini that made the list are Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley, Ben Humrichous, and Kylan Boswell. Jakucionis continues to gain NBA draft buzz after his time with the Lithuanian FIBA team. The true freshman guard was 15th on the list. One of the highest-ranked Illini basketball prospects to ever commit, Will Riley, is ranked 22nd.

Otherwise, two of Illinois basketball’s main transfer portal acquisitions, Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous, made the list. Boswell was ranked number 75, while Humrichous was ranked 79th. However, both can likely increase their draft stocks given their expected roles for this upcoming season.

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