(From Illinois Sports Information Office)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. Jakucionis is co-recipient of the league's weekly honor, along with Rutgers' Ace Bailey.

• Jakucionis led the Illini to three wins during the nomination period of Dec. 23-Jan. 5, averaging a team-best 16.0 points and 5.3 assists along with 5.0 rebounds, while shooting 60% from the field, 39% from 3-point range, and making all seven free throw attempts.
• Scored a team-high 18 points with team-high six assists and added five rebounds in the win at Washington.
• Made the game's decisive basket, scoring on a left-hand driving layup with 32 seconds left to break a 75-all tie. He then added two free throws with :12 remaining to put the Illini ahead by four and help seal the victory.
• Recorded 16 second-half points with game-high six assists along with six rebounds in a 32-point victory at No. 9 Oregon, as the Illini recorded the largest road win over a top-10 team all-time
• Began the stretch with 14 points, four assists and four rebounds in only 22 minutes in a blowout win over Chicago State.

Jakucionis earns his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week award this season, following recognition on Dec. 16. Jakucionis is currently averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 rebounds on the season, the first freshman from a power conference with 16+ points, 5.5+ rebounds and 5+ assists since Washington's Markelle Fultz in 2016-17.

No. 13 Illinois is back in action Wednesday night, hosting Penn State at State Farm Center (8 p.m., BTN). Tickets are available at FightingIllini.com.