The Miami Heat have selected Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. The shooting guard previously played his college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Coming out of Lithuania, Kasparas Jakucionis was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2024. He was the 161st-ranked player overall and the 37th-ranked shooting guard in that recruiting cycle.
In one season at Illinois, Jakucionis made himself a standout in the Big Ten. He played in and started 33 games as a freshman. During that time, he averaged 31.8 minutes per game.
Jakucionis would average 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. He did so on 44 percent field-goal shooting, 31.8 percent shooting from three-point range, and 84.5 percent from the free throw line. On the defensive end, he had 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. However, Jakucionis did struggle at times with turnovers, coughing the ball up 3.7 times per game.
Just 19 years old, Kasparas Jakucionis received numerous honors last season. That included being named a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection and becoming a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
As a team, Illinois would go 22-13 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play. That was good enough to make it to the NCAA Tournament. There, Illinois was able to win one game before being eliminated in the second round. Shortly after that, Jakucionis made the decision to move on and enter the NBA Draft.
What NBA Draft experts are saying about Kasparas Jakucionis
The NBA Draft is rapidly approaching. Ahead of that, On3 NBA Draft expert James Fletcher broke down what he sees from various prospects. That includes what he sees from Kasparas Jakucionis.
“Kasparas Jakucionis brings great size and ability to fill the box score in multiple categories while handling the ball,” Fletcher wrote. “Turnover concerns paired with a streaky shot have dropped his stock from its highest point, but teams able to use him in on-ball and off-ball reps early in his career will likely get the most out of his skillset.”
Fletcher isn’t the only one who’s high on Kasparas Jakucionis. RotoWire similarly previewed what NBA teams can expect from him.
“Jakučionis is an adept playmaker capable of scoring or passing from anywhere on the floor,” RotoWire wrote. “At 6-foot-6 with good footwork, feel for the game and shooting touch, he can play many roles, including that of a primary playmaker. He easily sets up his teammates, threading the needle for easy scoring opportunities. Despite not being an elite athlete, Jakučionis can also create his shot with quality dribbling, hesitation moves and a developing stepback jumper. His understanding of angles and advantages allowed him to average 5.1 free throw attempts per game. On defense, he isn’t elite but is solid enough to thrive in a scheme.”
There are real concerns with Jakucionis. However, there is still plenty of talent and there is an opportunity for some major development at the next level.
