Basketball
Kasparas Jakucionis showcases impressive measurements at 2025 NBA Draft Combine
The Lithuanian point guard is set to be the first lottery pick from Illinois since 2012
Kasparas Jakucionis Set to Become Illinois’ First Lottery Pick Since 2012
Kasparas Jakucionis moved from Barcelona to Champaign last year to play college basketball, and it’s clear that was a great decision. He immediately stepped in as the starting point guard and became the focal point of the Illini offense. His draft stock began to soar after just a few games, and now Jakucionis is projected to be a lottery pick. In the end, Jakucionis averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 56.2 percent on 2-point field goals.
The Lithuanian-born guard has the chance to make history on draft night. Jakucionis could become the first lottery pick out of the University of Illinois since Meyers Leonard in the 2012 NBA Draft.
The NBA Combine in Chicago is underway, and Jakucionis went through the measurement tests yesterday. The Illini guard impressed scouts, standing 6’4 ¾” barefoot with a 6’7 ¾” wingspan and an 8’4″ standing reach. Those are outstanding measurements for a point guard.
According to ESPN’s NBA analyst Jonathan Givony, Jakucionis has grown an inch and added five pounds since last year. At just 18 years old, his physical profile reinforces why NBA scouts are so high on a big, skilled guard like him.
Major mock drafts, including CBS, ESPN, Yahoo, and Sporting News, project Jakucionis to be selected within the lottery.
While he will not participate in the NBA Combine scrimmages on Wednesday, his draft outlook remains strong. The team willing to take a chance on KJ is still unknown, but it’s increasingly likely he’ll be selected within the top 14 and possibly even the top 10.
