“He Plays to Win”: Jakucionis Displays NBA-Caliber Potential for Illini
Kasparas Jakucionis impressed in Illinois’ season opener against Eastern Illinois on Monday, posting 11 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. The Lithuanian freshman was the focal point of the offense in his debut, handling the moment with remarkable composure.
His standout performance continued in Illinois’ 90-58 victory over SIUE on Friday, where Jakucionis looked every bit the future NBA prospect. The 18-year-old finished with 12 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds in just his second college game, earning recognition for tying the Illini freshman record for assists in a game. He also became the first Illinois freshman to record a points-assists double-double since 2008, according to @IlliniMBB.
Jakucionis played with a poise beyond his years, a trait rarely seen in freshman guards. “He’s mature,” said Head Coach Brad Underwood. “He’s smart. He plays to win. He doesn’t play for stats. He just provides what the game gives him… It doesn’t matter what the game needs. He has a maturity about him.”
One of the most impressive aspects of Jakucionis’ play, as Underwood pointed out, is his ability to “take what the game gives him.” This was evident in his performance over the summer, when he registered 17 assists in one game, followed by a 37-point outburst in the next.
So far, Jakucionis has excelled as a facilitator, averaging 10 assists per game, with one of the highest assist rates in the country. In his second game against SIUE, he built strong chemistry with fellow international recruit Tomislav Ivisic, assisting on four of Ivisic’s six baskets. Beyond just finding easy looks near the rim, Jakucionis has demonstrated excellent vision, consistently setting up three-point shooters in their sweet spots—a crucial skill for a team like Illinois, which relies heavily on the three-point shot.
Despite his ability to score, Jakucionis has taken only seven field goal attempts through two games. Last season, while playing in Barcelona, he averaged 19 points per game and even posted a career-high 39 points in February. In college, even with limited shot attempts, he has found ways to contribute offensively, averaging double figures and excelling at drawing fouls, with a 13-16 mark from the free-throw line.
Kasparas Jakucionis
“There’s gonna be a night when he scores 25 or 30. He just doesn’t force anything,” Underwood said.
For now, Illinois fans are enjoying Jakucionis’ playmaking ability and his knack for setting up teammates, but it seems only a matter of time before his scoring breakout arrives. The Illini return to action on Wednesday with a home game against Oakland.
