The last time an Illinois basketball player went ‘one-and-done’ at Illinois, Gangnam Style took the internet by storm, nearly topping the Billboard Hot 100. It was 2012 when the Portland Trailblazers took Meyers Leonard with the 11th pick of the NBA Draft.
This week, Lithuanian-born Kasparas Jakučionis, in all likelihood, will be the highest Illini drafted since Leonard. The 6-foot-5 point guard made a remarkable impact on the program this past season that culminated in a round of 32 berth and stepping up in clutch moments. He was one of the most highly touted prospects entering the 2024-2025 NCAA season.
And for most Illinois and college basketball fans, it's not a stretch to say he met — nay, exceeded — those expectations in just one season. He averaged 31.8 minutes with 15.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. All of this while playing high-caliber programs like Arkansas, Tennessee and Duke.
KJ was named Big Ten Freshman of the week in mid-December and early January. He also earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors and was voted to the Second All-Big Ten team, while also setting the freshman record for most 20+ point games in a season (10).
As an Illini, he will be best remembered for his high-octane passing ability and his crafty finishes at the rim. But no doubt, the most glaring concern for any NBA team that considers drafting him is his turnover blunders in the NCAA, often doing more than what was necessary.
KJ had five or more turnovers in 12 games, including both tournament games against Xavier and Kentucky. But, of course, the upside is his scoring ability and what he can become as a passer in the NBA.
And don’t forget, he’s only 19.
Teams that have reportedly shown interest in the young Lithuanian include the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, or one of the teams with the highest selections, such as the Washington Wizards (sixth overall pick).
For now, most projections suggest KJ will be a lottery selection. But of course, those are just projections.