Basketball
Kasparas Jakucionis is a top-five pick in CBS Sports 2025 Mock Draft
Jakucionis would be the highest drafted Illini in over 10 years.

Per CBS Sports 2025 NBA Mock draft made by Kyle Boone, Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis is projected to be the fifth overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers. Boone applauds Jakucionis’ combination of size and craftiness at the guard spot, making him “dynamic as an offensive weapon“. Through ten games, Jakucionis has averaged 16.1 ppg, 6.1 RPG and 5.6 apg. He most recently won Big Ten Freshman of the week honors as he has scored 20 points or more in his last five games.
He also continues to show the intangibles as assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and Geoff Alexander reported that the 18-year-old star freshman was in the gym at 1am working on his game after a gut-wrenching loss to number one Tennessee. Jakucionis scored 22 points in that game, however, missed four free throws and had 7 turnovers.
Jakucionis would make history
Though the 2025 NBA Draft is 6 months away, Kasparas Jakucionis is the most hyped-up NBA prospect who has put on an Illini uniform. If Jakucionis is in fact the fifth pick, he would be the highest NBA draft pick from Illinois since Meyers Leonard in 2012.
To be the highest draft pick in Illinois basketball history, he would have to be picked inside the Top-3.. The Utah Jazz selected Deron Williams, an Illini legend, third overall in the draft. Though there is a lot to play out, fans should definitely enjoy Kasparas Jakucionis in an Illinois basketball uniform. The freshman guard is bound for stardom and will soon walk across the stage at the NBA Draft.
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