Where Kasparas Jakucionis sits in latest CBS Sports NBA Mock Draft

Kasparas Jakucionis will be an interesting Illini basketball player to remember. Though he only played one year in Champaign, Jakucionis is arguably the most talented young player to ever don the Orange and Blue. At just 18 years old, Jakucionis wowed everyone with his impressive playmaking and NBA potential. As do most 18-year-old freshmen, however, Jakucionis struggled at various points in the season and had some inconsistencies. After starting the season off in historic fashion, Jakucionis had his share of struggles as the Illini ended up fizzling out in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the troubles, he is an 18-year-old phenom that will more than likely be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

CBS Sports: Number 7 pick to the Toronto Raptors

Per Adam Finkelstein, Kasparas Jakucionis was as high as the third overall pick in some NBA Mock drafts in December. However, injuries and a myriad of inconsistencies down the stretch certainly added a blemish to Jakucionis’s draft stock. However, Jakucionis is a big guard with on-and-off ball versatility. He has an outstanding feel for the game and has the potential to be an above-average shooter. Despite this, Kasparas Jakucionis shot the ball very poorly down the stretch. In the last 17 games of the season, he shot about 24 percent from the three-point line. 

Kasparas turns 19 years old at the end of May. He played a majority of the second half of the season with a nagging forearm injury that should hopefully be right by the time of the NBA season next year. He has incredible potential for someone so young and with his size at the guard spot. Illinois basketball is in a strong position to have its first NBA lottery pick since the 2012 NBA draft.

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