Kasparas jakucionis is one of the most polarized players in the 2025 NBA Draft, but if he can put together the tools, he makes it clear that the NBA rise is up.
In both the 2023 and 2024 NBA Drafts, the first pick was French, joining Andrea Bargunani in 2006, becoming the second and third European-born pick in league history.
Both 2023 and 2024 were incredibly international classes, but as the NCAA modernised and money grew, international players came to the state in large numbers before becoming professionals.
Top 3 predicted picks for 2025 – Kupper Flag, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are all Americans, but they have a lot of international talent. VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach and Egor Demin are some of the forefront, while Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is raising the draft board.
In a loaded class with talent from around the world, Jakucionis could be the first international player to call out his name, almost certainly a European.
- Age/Date of Birth: 18 (May 29, 2006)
- Height/Weight: 6ft-6, 205lbs
- University: Fighting Illinois
- Career Statistics: 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.9 steel, 3.7 turnovers, 44.0 FG%, 31.8 3pt%
- NCAA Tournament Statistics: 14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 6.0 turnovers, 33.3 FG%, 20.0 3pt%
- Career Highs: 24 points (vs. Wisconsin, vs. Minnesota, vs. UCLA vs. UCLA), 13 rebounds (vs. Nebraska), 13 assists (vs. Siu Edwardsville)
- NBA comparison: Bigger Kyle Lowry
Jakucionis plays with a very high motor, making up for the lack of athletic ability with the ability to go over extra mile. He can pass on their best and is always trying to set up his teammates, so he should give him a boost at the next level.
In college he left a lot of what he wanted, but in the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket tournament he shot a bit better.
As a lead guard, he can dribble traffic and kick the ball out or throw it in a dunker. He’s not the best to reach the top of the rim, but he can finish the traffic and get in touch if necessary.
He’s not certain, but he can run offensive at a high level and if his attacks are more balanced, he can become one of the better players in the draft.
Jakucionis is far from perfect prospects. He makes suspicious choices, especially when passing. If his dangerous pass converts, he looks like a right-handed manujinobili, but his incredible 3.7 turnovers in March’s madness, a total of 12 madness suggests that he might be a little rougher than Manu.
On the defense, he is not entirely responsible, but he is a bit late. This means he can’t stop the NBA shifter guard. He also needs to solve one of these issues as he is not strong enough to raise his position and guard forward.
His external fire could improve and perhaps improve, but there is no guarantee, so that would probably be a concern too. Still, in the case of the floor general and dribble off-scorer, he has most of the tools.
Jakucionis is expected to be drafted in the top 10 and could potentially go to the top 5. That means a bad team will take him, but not all circumstances bring out the best in him.
He will do his best next to a true scoring guard and some high-level wings, and like most lead guards, he will benefit from having a pick-and-roll threat.
With Keente George in the backcourt and healthy Taylor Hendrix or John Collins, the Utah Jazz fits the bill. Colin Sexton and Lauri Markanen offer more benefits.
The Toronto Raptors are also perfect. Jakucionis was able to share ball handling duties with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Coystley, allowing Scottie Barnes to become a more innovative and catch-and-shooting threat. Unlike Utah, Toronto has enough positive advocates to make up for its weaknesses.
Fans should hope that Jakucionis will take a little while before it gets hit, or even hope that he will reveal his true potential. He’s not a winner like some rookies in his class.