The 2024-25 campaign was a wild ride for the Illinois basketball program, as we had so much promise but fell short in the NCAA tournament.
There were many bright spots for the Illini last season. One of those bright spots was Kasparas Jakucionis. The point guard was kind of unknown coming over from Europe, but he quickly got acclimated to the college game.
Jakucionis hit the ground running, and he became one of the darlings in the college game. While he leveled out a little bit, Jakucionis continued to be known as a future first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
On Wednesday night, the Miami Heat ended up picking Jakucionis with the No. 20 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. This was a great pick by the Heat, but as an Illini fan, I know that already. I would imagine most Heat fans donβt know much about the shifty guard.
Miami fans did take to social media to express their feelings toward the pick. The overall sentiment toward the selection was overwhelmingly positive, too.
Only 2 freshman averaged 15 ppg, 5 rpg, and 4 apg last season:
- Cooper Flagg
- Kasparas JakuΔIonis
We got our guy π₯π₯ pic.twitter.com/FD8EW7UULW
β HeatMuse (@Heat_Muse) June 26, 2025
Jakucionis is in rare air with Cooper Flagg. Those numbers could have been even better if Jakucionis hadnβt dealt with some illness and injury during his freshman campaign. Miami needed backcourt help, and they got it.
Kasparas Jakucionis and KelβEl Ware in the future pic.twitter.com/7PY674w7eR
β π½ππ€π€π β€οΈβπ₯ (@MiamisOG) June 26, 2025
The reports are that Miami didnβt want to give up Kelβel Ware in a trade for Kevin Durant. Now, the Heat can pair the former Indiana big man up with an Illinois guard.
I think itβs a Home run pick for Miami at 20. Not one evaluator I spoke to pre draft has Kasparas Jakucionis falling all the way to Miami.
β Greg Sylvander (@GregSylvander) June 26, 2025
It was a bit shocking to see Jakucionis drop that far. This was a great pick by Miami. The Heat getting a player who was a unanimous top 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at No. 20 is a massive steal.
Pat Riley looks very happy with Kasparas Jakucionis π
(via @WillManso) pic.twitter.com/q9WbWZzqax
β πππΌπ ππΌππππ (@HeatvsHaters) June 26, 2025
You always want to please the Godfather. Pat Riley still has a little juice left in him, and this was a great pick.
The Miami Heat select Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th pick
Huge surprise that he fell
6β5 combo guard with real play-making skills and scoring ability
Needed a point guard and some shooting
They got that
β Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) June 26, 2025
Miami did need backcourt help at the point and with shooting. Jakucionis is the complete package and can handle both duties.