Kasparas Jakucionis finally breaks out in 2025 NBA Summer League action

Kasparas Jakucionis played just one season at Illinois before being selected #21 overall by the Miami Heat in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old point guard reminded everyone yesterday why he’s considered one of the league’s most promising young prospects.

After a rocky start to summer league play, Jakucionis bounced back in a big way. He poured in 24 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out four assists, and knocked down five three-pointers in just 28 minutes of action.

Much like his lone season in Champaign, Jakucionis’s summer league campaign has had its highs and lows. During the California Classic, he struggled, shooting just 1-for-15 from the field and totaling only 12 points over three games.

Heat fans can breathe a sigh of relief after his impressive Las Vegas debut. It was a clear glimpse of the talent that Miami saw when they drafted him. His development will be key, and at just 19 years old, the Lithuanian-born guard finds himself in an ideal situation to grow within the Heat organization.

Team president and Hall of Famer Pat Riley certainly believes in Kasparas Jakucionis.

Riley stated: “30 years we’ve been able to do this but we have not had many like you. I’m saying that sincerely”.

Jakucionis’s bounce-back performance in Las Vegas is already an encouraging sign. It may take time for him to fully grow into an NBA role, but there’s no denying his ceiling is sky-high.

Only a matter of time, but Kasparas Jakucionis has found his range. In just the first half of this game, he has
19 points
3 rebounds
3 assists
6/8 from the field and 4/5 from 3pt land. pic.twitter.com/ojmFCpUlwI

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) July 11, 2025

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