Illinois basketball is having one of the most unique seasons we have seen over the past couple of decades.
While the record remains strong at 13-4 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten, the cast of characters on this Illini squad is one we will remember for a lifetime.
Without seeing how the 2024-25 campaign finishes, I can sit here and confidently say this is up there with the most talented teams I have ever seen in Champaign. From top to bottom, we have guys who can play at high-DI levels.
This talent on the court isn’t just getting noticed by Illinois fans either. There are a couple of Illinois players who are being eyed for the 2025 NBA Draft by the national media as well.
Illinois basketball still has two players projected to be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft
The great season that Illinois is putting together couldn’t be possible without the incredible play from Kasparas Jakucionis. The young guard is in his first season at Illinois, and he hasn’t just lived up to his billing, but he has blown through any expectations set forth for him.
In the latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft put together by Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, Jakucionis is projected to go No. 5 overall to the Utah Jazz.
Updated draft projections https://t.co/HcDdfXSoRt
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) January 14, 2025
This is a pretty impressive rise for the talented guard. In the summer, Jakucionis was projected to go in the first round, but ESPN had him more of a mid-first-round pick at No. 18 overall. But it was to the same team.
It isn’t a shocker that Jakucionis would rise into the top five in the upcoming draft. If you watch this kid play, you will understand his value to the Illini. He can literally do everything on the basketball court.
I think Jakucionis’ biggest upsides for NBA teams are his ability to create his own shot, his great basketball IQ, and his three-point ability.
There are a few things that Jakucionis probably needs to improve on, though. I think his defense is going to be something that is focused on at the next level. There are times he has struggled defensively for the Illini. I also think his turnovers might come into play eventually as well.
At the end of the day, I think No. 5 overall is the floor for Jakucionis. There is a legitimate chance this kid could climb into the top three or maybe even the top two when it is all said and done.
Jakucionis isn’t the only Illinois player projected to be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft. Illinois also has Will Riley still on the list. With pick No. 36 overall, so No. 6 in the second round, Wasserman has the Brooklyn Nets taking Riley.
I know, most Illini fans are probably floored by the projection that Riley is going to be an NBA Draft pick in 2025. To be honest, I am too.
At the same time, I also understand why he is still projected as an NBA Draft pick. There are a lot of players in the NBA Draft who are taken based on potential, especially in the second round, rather than the numbers they put up wherever they were playing.
Riley has shown flashes of talent with the Illini, but you also have to remember, he should still be a senior in high school. All you have to do is be a year removed from high school to get selected in the NBA Draft. So, an NBA team sees Riley, and they are probably thinking they will get a former five-star at a really young age. There is plenty of time for him to develop and maybe help the franchise. That is worth a second-round pick.
Riley does bring a few enticing things to the table for NBA teams. He is young for his level of play. Riley has great athletic ability for his size, and he is still developing into his body. And there is clearly potential there for a great player. He can hit three-pointers, and once he gets the game down, he is going to be dangerous.
The NBA negatives have been a little bit glaring recently for Riley too. He isn’t shooting the ball well. Defensively, Riley is one of the worst on the Illinois basketball team. He plays a lot of me-ball, and in the NBA, there is a lot of ball movement and an understanding of spacing. I think Riley has a lot to work on in that area. He will definitely be a multi-year G-League player, and that is okay.