Kasparas Jakucionis | PG | Illinois

Age: 19 | Height: 6-6 | Wingspan: N/A | Draft: 2025 | Hometown: Vilnius, Lithuania

Jakucionis is a Lithuanian-born guard who rose steadily through the ranks of European basketball before committing to Illinois. Known for his high basketball IQ and advanced skill set, he gained attention playing in international youth competitions, where he showcased his playmaking ability against elite competition. His transition to the college game has been seamless, leveraging his size and vision to emerge as one of the most intriguing backcourt prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. Jakucionis is a big, playmaking guard with elite vision and high-level decision-making, and his ability to read defenses and create for others is among the best in this class. At 6-6, he possesses the size to see over defenders and make advanced reads, but his overall scoring efficiency and ability to contain NBA-caliber athletes on defense will be key factors in his long-term projection.

Jakucionis thrives in pick-and-roll situations, showcasing an advanced feel for passing angles and defensive reads. His ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes and find teammates in tight windows is reminiscent of a traditional floor general, allowing him to control tempo and create high-value scoring opportunities. His size gives him a significant advantage over smaller guards, allowing him to pass over defenses and finish through contact at times. He maintains a high basketball IQ and composure under pressure, and has shown the ability to adapt to a variety of defensive schemes. However, despite his size, he lacks elite explosiveness, making it difficult for him to consistently blow by defenders or finish above the rim. His shooting remains a work in progress; while the mechanics are solid, consistency is still an issue, which could allow defenses to sag off him early in his career. Defensively, he struggles to contain quicker guards and will need to improve his lateral quickness to avoid being a liability on that end.

Jakucionis projects as a plus-sized lead guard who thrives as a secondary creator and offensive initiator at the NBA level. His ceiling is that of a high-level starting point guard capable of running an offense with efficiency, while his floor is a smart backup combo guard who provides steady playmaking in a more limited role. He's an advanced playmaker, but whether he can become a true lead initiator in the NBA is still a question. Ultimately, it’s more likely that his shooting and defensive growth will dictate whether he reaches his ceiling or settles in as a high-level reserve.