Kasparas Jakucionis has announced that he will be leaving the University of Illinois to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. A native of Lithuania, Jakucionis is widely projected to be selected in the lottery after an impressive season in which he posted averages of 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
In an interview with ESPN, Jakucionis reflected on the significance of this decision, emphasizing how long he has been preparing for this moment and how difficult it will be to leave the program that helped shape him.
“This has been my dream from a young age,” Jakucionis told ESPN on Monday. “I’ve waited for this moment a long time. Saying goodbye to Illinois will be the hardest part. I’ve made friendships and built real relationships with players, coaches, support staff, and everyone around Champaign. My goal now is to work as hard as I can, and be the best version of myself.”
Jakucionis made headlines even before arriving in Champaign by choosing an uncommon route for a European prospect – opting to develop his game in the NCAA system rather than staying in Europe’s professional leagues. His move made him one of the first highly touted international point guards to prioritize college basketball in the United States.
Explaining his decision, he said the blend of elite basketball and educational opportunities was too good to pass up:
“I wanted to be closer to American basketball,” Jakucionis said. “The academic side is very important for me and my family. And of course, for the NBA, it helps. The competition in college is extremely high level. Every game and detail matters. You’re competing against the best young players in the world. The facilities at Illinois are incredible in terms of player development, weight room, recovery and staff. These are the best conditions in the world. I grew a lot as a player and person, seeing a different culture and different style of basketball. I’m happy I chose the college route and got to be a part of the Illinois program. I would tell any young player in Europe, as long as you aren’t scared, and if you want to get tougher, you should pick the U.S. route.”
As he now sets his sights on the next chapter – preparing for the NBA – Jakucionis leaves behind a strong legacy at Illinois and a path for other international players to follow.
Kasparas Jakucionis Declares For 2025 NBA Draft https://t.co/AdM5redEUQ
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 14, 2025
