Prince: Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis' Slide Understandable, but Miami Heat's Gain

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 29, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Since the moment Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis stepped foot on the Illinois campus, talk of his NBA future was unavoidable. Scouts, analysts, and coaches alike touted the Lithuanian guard as a potential lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

But when June 25 arrived, the one-time projected lottery pick slid to the No. 20 overall selection.

After the draft concluded, a source with NBA ties shed light on why Jakucionis went from lottery lock to a late first-rounder . . .

 

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